From NZ Herald · · 3m
Winston Peters says Michael Laws' future with NZ First still to be decided
NZ First leader Winston Peters says Michael Laws' future with party remains 'live issue' ahead of election.
In brief
NZ First leader Winston Peters says Michael Laws' future with party remains 'live issue' ahead of election. NZ First leader Winston Peters states Michael Laws' post-election role with NZ First is still undecided after sexist comments. Originally reported by NZ Herald.
Election 2026 live updates
It's the final week of the election campaign and parties are under pressure to pull out all the stops before voting closes on Saturday.
Over a million votes cast
More than one million Kiwis have already cast their votes ahead of Saturday's election, accounting for more than a quarter of those enrolled.
NZ First leader's stance
Winston Peters says whether Michael Laws is a party MP after the election remains a 'live issue'.
Laws' comments on Opportunity
The NZ First candidate had made sexist comments about his female political opponents in Opportunity on The Platform last week.
Laws' board meeting support
Laws has told the Herald he supports a board meeting to decide his future with the party.
Laws' MP status
Laws is sixth on NZ First's list and is essentially guaranteed to become an MP, given NZ First's current polling.
Laws' clarification
Laws said he would not be continuing to campaign today and tomorrow for New Zealand First if he didn't believe their ideals and policies were right for New Zealand.
Laws' apology
Laws said he deeply regretted causing offence and had apologised for his comments, which he described as part of his 'usual sort of stand-up comic/editorial routine'.
Laws' text message
Kingdon-Bebb's text message said Laws should 'apologise for behaving like a creepy misogynist, for dehumanising and objectifying women who stand for different ideas than those you espouse'.
Peters' comments
Peters said there were women in NZ First who were 'very annoyed' by Laws' comments.
Laws' response
Laws said the average New Zealander understands the context and full content of his show and that the overwhelming motivation for most voters will not be this sideshow.
Luxon's Christmas comment
Luxon said New Zealanders will enjoy their Christmas and summer holidays regardless but will move as quickly as possible through negotiations to form a government.
Luxon's timeline
Luxon said the official results are set to be declared on November 27 and negotiations will start after the vote count.
Luxon's coalition comment
Luxon said it would take as long as it takes to form a government after the election, given the very tight election.
Government's books
The Government's books are in a better shape than previously expected, with the Treasury revealing the deficit is more than a billion dollars smaller than forecast.
Luxon's economic comment
Luxon suggested the results show 'our plan is working' as the deficit is smaller than expected.
At a glance
NZ First leader Winston Peters states Michael Laws' post-election role with NZ First is still undecided after sexist comments.
