Green Party's Metiria Turei 'racist' call riles NZ First's Winston Peters

NZ First leader Winston Peters. Photo / Mark Mitchell

NZ First leader Winston Peters has bailed up Green co-leader Metiria Turei for calling him "racist", saying such attacks would have consequences.

Speaking on Q+A this morning, Turei said Peters was "on a roll" partly because of "a very racist approach to immigration".

"The worst of his rhetoric is coming out."

In response, Peters issued a statement saying it was the Green Party which had "racially separatist policies" and appeared to warn of consequences for the Green Party in any post-election talks.

"My warning to the Greens is don't call New Zealand First racist - an allegation that is spurious - and think there won't be consequences."

He said the Green Party promoted Maori ownership of water - a policy which was separatist.

Turei's comment also drew fire from NZ First MP Tracey Martin on Twitter. Martin said that by describing her as racist "you make it very difficult to sit at the table and believe it is mutually respectful".

In response, Turei said she had respect for Martin personally "but persistent persecution of migrants by NZF is not ok. You can fix that if you choose".

Tell you what @metiria, keep calling me a racist & you make it very difficult to sit at the table & believe it is mutually respectful

— Tracey Martin (@TraceyMartinMP) July 8, 2017

It is a break in an apparent entente cordiale between the Green Party and NZ First and will concern Labour.

In 2005, Peters blocked the Green Party out of being part of a government with Labour.

Of late, although NZ First refused to be part of the agreement the Greens signed with the Labour Party, Peters has pulled back on his attacks on the Greens.

On Q+A, Turei said the Greens' relationship with Peters was "fine" and it was possible the Greens would have to work with NZ First despite concerns about its policies.

"My plea, I guess, to the New Zealand public is don't make that necessary.

"NZ First has not ruled us out, like they have done in the past and we have not ruled them out either. Because, actually, they may be necessary for the formation of a progressive government. I think this is just the political reality we have.

"Either it is going to be National and NZ First, which is completely unacceptable, or it may be the Greens and Labour with or without Winston."

The Green Party is launching its 2017 election campaign in Nelson today - an electorate it is targeting to try to oust National's Nick Smith.