From NZ Herald · · 2m
NZ First's women problem: Michael Laws' comments spark backlash
New Zealand First's Michael Laws faces backlash for sexually inappropriate remarks about women politicians.
In brief
New Zealand First's Michael Laws faces backlash for sexually inappropriate remarks about women politicians. New Zealand First leader Winston Peters and National leader Christopher Luxon have criticized Michael Laws' sexually inappropriate comments about women politicians, which have drawn strong reactions from party…
Michael Laws' controversial remarks
New Zealand First candidate Michael Laws made sexually inappropriate comments about women politicians during the election campaign.
“It is not just about his own comments wondering what an opportunity party candidate's face would be like after sex”
Winston Peters' response
New Zealand First leader Winston Peters called Laws' comments unacceptable and stated he would give Laws a telling off.
“The comments were not acceptable and he would give laws a telling off”
Christopher Luxon's reaction
National leader Christopher Luxon ruled out Michael Laws from any ministerial position in his government.
“He won't be a minister in my government”
Other party leaders' responses
Labour leader Chris Hipkins described Laws' comments as the culture within New Zealand First, while others called them disgusting, archaic, disgraceful, creepy and misogynistic.
“This is what new zealand first actually believes. Michael Laws has said the quiet part out loud”
Women in politics statistics
Labour has seven women in its top 10 list, with the Greens and Opportunity each having six women, while National and New Zealand First both have three women.
“Labour has the highest number of women in its top 10 list with seven”
Public reactions
Public figures including Chlöe Swarbrick, David Seymour, Nicola Willis and Barbara Edmonds criticized Laws' comments as gross, stupid, from another era, and disrespectful to women in politics.
“It's gross”
Campaign timeline
Thursday: TVNZ debate featuring Nicola Willis, Kieran McAnulty, Chlöe Swarbrick, David Seymour, Shane Jones, Oriini Kaipara and Qiulae Wong.
“Thursday: TVNZ's debate at 7pm hosted by Jack Tame will feature nicola willis”
Election context
The 2026 election campaign is very tight with National leader Christopher Luxon not committing to government by Christmas.
“Very tight election: Luxon won't commit to government by Christmas”
Political fallout
Laws' comments have created a point of future friction between coalition partners and given his opponents the moral high ground.
“This is the culture within new zealand first”
Historical context
Laws previously resigned in 1996 after atoning for transgressions that preceded his resignation.
“Laws claims he would return to parliament and reoccupy the moral high ground because he had atoned for his transgressions that preceded his resignation in 1996”
Political comparisons
Laws' comments are compared to other party leaders' controversial remarks including Stuart Nash's comments about parental leave and Ron Mark's comments on naval vessels.
“This comes on top of stuart nash's comments about his former opponent in napier taking parental leave”
Political strategy
New Zealand First has been criticized for its lack of self-awareness regarding its comments about women politicians.
“There was no sense of self-awareness of how deeply inappropriate he has been”
Election implications
The election campaign is very tight with National leader Christopher Luxon not committing to government by Christmas.
“Very tight election: Luxon won't commit to government by Christmas”
Public opinion
Public opinion is divided with some calling Laws' comments gross and others saying they are from another era.
“It's from another era he should go back to noah and the ark”
Political accountability
Political accountability is a key issue as Laws' comments have created a point of future friction between coalition partners.
“This is the culture within new zealand first”
The short version
New Zealand First leader Winston Peters and National leader Christopher Luxon have criticized Michael Laws' sexually inappropriate comments about women politicians, which have drawn strong reactions from party leaders and the public.
