Summarised by Centrist

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has condemned Winston Peters after the Foreign Minister told Green MP Lawrence Xu-Nan to “go back to your own country”, prompting a public response from China’s ambassador.

Peters made the remark after Xu-Nan heckled him about whether he had been vaccinated during a parliamentary speech on the Covid pandemic.

“That’s where they lie like a flatfish, but they don’t lie like that here,” Peters said.

“This is called a democracy, unlike what you’re used to. Go back to where you’ve come from, you loudmouth, and maybe you’ll learn something about the political system of New Zealand.”

Xu-Nan was born in China and moved to New Zealand as a child in 1994. He called the comments racist and urged Luxon to hold Peters accountable.

Chinese ambassador Wang Xiaolong then entered the dispute while saying China did not want to become involved.

“We have absolutely no interest in being dragged into the domestic politics of other countries,” Wang wrote.

“Suffice it to say, sometimes, a statement says more about the person that makes it than anything or anybody else.”

We have absolutely no interest in being dragged into the domestic politics of other countries. Suffice it to say, sometimes, a statement says more about the person that makes it than anything or anybody else.
— Wang Xiaolong (@AmbChina2NZ) July 29, 2026

Luxon described Peters’ remarks as part of a “long track record of inappropriate attention-seeking comments” intended to generate headlines. He told New Zealand’s Chinese community that National backed them, before encouraging voters to give National their party vote.

If Lawrence Xu-Nan's 32 years here counts for 5 minutes, I guess I've been here for three and a half. And been alive for less than 8.

I hate election years. pic.twitter.com/CqWs0LdUnm
— Eric Crampton (@EricCrampton) July 30, 2026

Green MP Tamatha Paul and Labour deputy leader Carmel Sepuloni called for Peters to be sacked as Foreign Minister. Sepuloni said the comments were “incredibly racist and offensive”.

The media and the usual woke chorus are in full pearl-clutching meltdown over Winston Peters telling Green MP Lawrence Xu-Nan to go back to where he came from.

Predictable. Selective. Dishonest.

What almost every single one of them carefully omits is the opening salvo that… pic.twitter.com/JzVU63kAew
— Elliot Ikilei – NZ First Candidate (@ElliotIkilei) July 30, 2026

Peters dismissed the accusations as “drivel” and defended his comments.

“I’m defending our democracy, and I’m proud of it. China doesn’t have one.”

The row escalated further when NZ First deputy Shane Jones called himself and Peters “historical foundation New Zealanders” and said Xu-Nan “should know his place”.

Luxon has since called Peters’ remarks racist and “outrageous”, while retaining confidence in him as Foreign Minister and accusing the NZ First leader of deliberately courting attention during the election campaign.

Luxon was quick to look tough on Stuart Nash, but now he's staying quiet over Winston Peters' actions.

What does that tell you? pic.twitter.com/2o1mvfpk5X
— Willie Jackson (@WillieJLabour) July 31, 2026

Editor’s note: In a separate debate, Paul described English as a “bastard” language while opposing legislation formally recognising it as an official language. Peters invoked the country of origin of a Chinese-born MP to dismiss him, while Paul invoked the origins of the language spoken by most New Zealanders to disparage it. The disputes are different, with both perhaps being over-the-top for civil discourse, but both show the debate over who and what belongs in New Zealand is ongoing.

Read more over at 1News and The NZ Herald

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