# 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.
- Title: Winston Peters says Michael Laws' future with NZ First still…
- Summary: NZ First leader Winston Peters says Michael Laws' future with party remains 'live issue' ahead of election. NZ First leader Winston Peters states Michael…
- Keywords: winston peters, michael laws, nz first, election 2026, political comments, sexist remarks, party leadership, new zealand politics, NZ Herald
- Source: NZ Herald — https://nzherald.co.nz/nz/politics/election-2026-live-updates-winston-peters-says-michael-laws-future-with-nz-first-still-to-be-decided/4WR4TD7KJ5BA7NKZBCIFWOK5ZE
- Read time: 2 min
- Topics: winston peters, michael laws, nz first, election 2026, political comments, sexist remarks, party leadership, new zealand politics, politics, news
## 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.
## Key takeaway

NZ First leader Winston Peters states Michael Laws' post-election role with NZ First is still undecided after sexist comments.