Winston Peters: 'Door closed' on Nash, backs Jones
New Zealand First leader Winston Peters has distanced his party from former candidate Stuart Nash following sexist comments made by Nash. Peters confirmed the resignation was accepted and defended the party's internal handling of the controversy.
Why it matters
The incident reflects ongoing political volatility and debates regarding workplace conduct and gender equality in New Zealand politics.
New Zealand First leader Winston Peters has responded to "crass" comments made by Shane Jones and a text message that got Stuart Nash in hot water after returning from an overseas trip to Asia. The party has battled a <a href="https://www.1news.co.nz/2026/07/24/crass-politics-nz-catching-up-with-the-world-expert/" target="_blank">political storm in recent weeks</a> regarding sexist comments made by the party's now former Napier candidate Nash, and NZ First minister Jones' remarks about other party leaders' "kneepads" at his party's convention. Peters was overseas when Nash's comments went public, and shortly afterwards said in a post on X that "Stuart Nash has offered his resignation as a candidate and we have accepted". Asked to respond to <a href="https://www.1news.co.nz/2026/07/22/stuart-nash-resigns-as-nz-first-candidate-over-sexist-text/" target="_blank">Nash's comments</a> calling National MP <a href="https://www.1news.co.nz/2026/07/23/stuart-nash-has-made-his-view-on-women-very-clear-nimon/" target="_blank">Katie Nimon</a> lazy for taking parental leave, Peters told Breakfast it was "totally unfortunate as a comment, they were not right".
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