Mallard and Henare in punch-up

Trevor Mallard and Tau Henare squared up in Parliament.

Trevor Mallard and Tau Henare came to blows at Parliament yesterday after the National MP accused the minister of being a hypocrite.

It is believed Mr Mallard struck Mr Henare during a heated argument in a lobby outside the parliamentary debating chamber and the pair had to be prised apart.

Prime Minister Helen Clark said the two men "should look in the mirror" over their behaviour.

The incident came after Mr Henare had goaded Mr Mallard in the House over his personal life. The minister has recently separated from his wife.

Mr Mallard asked Mr Henare to discuss the matter in the lobbies, where they got into a heated argument and Mr Henare accused the minister of being a "hypocrite".

This appeared to refer to an incident in the House last year in which Mr Mallard shouted across the chamber to then National Party leader Don Brash, "How's Diane?"

Dr Brash was later confronted in caucus by MP Brian Connell, who wanted to know whether he was having an affair with Auckland businesswoman Diane Foreman. Dr Brash then took time off the job to try to save his marriage.

Mr Mallard has been under stress from not only from his marital split but from the death of his father just over two weeks ago.

Mr Mallard and Deputy Prime Minister Michael Cullen later visited the National Party's headquarters on the third floor of the Parliament buildings and spoke to senior National MP Gerry Brownlee about the incident.

Mr Mallard personally apologised to Mr Henare and the apology was accepted.

Miss Clark's spokesman confirmed the incident had taken place and she was not happy about it.

"Both men should look in the mirror," Miss Clark said through the spokesman.

Asked if Miss Clark was going to take the matter further the spokesman said: "I don't know ... we will have to wait and see".

National Party leader John Key today said he had expressed disappointment to Mr Henare this morning about the altercation.

"I'm pleased Mr Mallard has apologised to Mr Henare for his actions. There is no place for physical violence in New Zealand politics."

Mr Mallard would make no comment.

- with NZPA