The deputy PM has backed down after a three-day row with the Greens, but only after the Mexican Embassy got pulled in.

Winston Peters, after initially saying nothing was wrong with his and Shane Jones' comments - which have been labelled 'xenophobic' - has now backed down

Opinion by Audrey Young Audrey Young, Senior Political Correspondent at the New Zealand Herald based at Parliament, specialises in writing about politics and power. Welcome to Inside Politics, the first week back for Parliament this year and a sense of deja vu in that it was completely dominated by coalition partners Winston Peters and David Seymour,

A New Zealand-born Kiribati MP has come to her president's defence in the diplomatic row between Wellington and Tarawa, stating the "media manufactured drama", in which Foreign Minister Winston Peters announced a review of NZ aid to the Micronesian nation, is "disrespectful to Kiribati's sovereignty".

Jones’ comments follow National Minister Todd McClay yelling “you’re not in Mexico now” during a debate in July last year. McClay later apologised.

New Zealand is confident its relationship with the US can go from strength to strength, Foreign Minister Winston Peters said following a call with American Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

The Foreign Minister has hit back at comments by a Kiribati government minister that the island nation's leader failed to receive him because of pre-planned commitments.

New Zealand is reconsidering all development ... between President Taneti Maamau and New Zealand Foreign Minister Winston Peters, Peters' office told The Associated Press on Monday.

US President Donald Trump has announced the new US Ambassador to New Zealand, as Minister for Foreign Affairs Winston Peters speaks to the new US Secretary of state.

The New Zealand government is reconsidering its aid program with Kiribati after the president canceled a planned meeting with the New Zealand foreign minister. This development may strain relations and impact both bilateral ties and visa allocations for Kiribati citizens seeking seasonal work in New Zealand.

Mr Peters says common practice amongst joint ventures including bloodstock breeders is to individually claim GST deductions in their own GST returns. Inland Revenue has however recently concluded that the current rules do not allow this.