NZ First migrant comments row

The story so far

During a parliamentary debate in late January 2025, New Zealand First Minister Shane Jones reportedly shouted "send the Mexicans home".^{29 Jan 2025} Jones was accused of stoking racist sentiment, and he defended the remark as a "Mexican stand-off".^{29 Jan 2025} The Green Party called on the Prime Minister and the Speaker to reprimand government ministers over the comments.^{29 Jan 2025} Mexico's Ambassador to New Zealand raised the remarks with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade.^{30, 31 Jan 2025} A spokesperson for Winston Peters said some comments may have been expressed poorly, and Prime Minister Christopher Luxon urged all MPs to watch their rhetoric.^{30 Jan 2025}

Latest

Jones said he hopes to meet the Mexican Ambassador, and Peters has acknowledged the comments could have been expressed differently.^{31 Jan 2025}

What's next

Jones says he hopes to meet Mexico's Ambassador to New Zealand.^{31 Jan 2025}

Key moments

1. 29 Jan 2025Greens call for Prime Minister and Speaker to reprimand ministers over comments.
2. 29 Jan 2025Jones accused of stoking racist sentiment; he defends remark as a 'Mexican stand-off'.
3. 30 Jan 2025Mexican Ambassador raises concerns; Peters' spokesperson says comments may have been poorly expressed.
4. 30 Jan 2025Luxon urges all MPs to watch their rhetoric.
5. 31 Jan 2025Jones says he hopes to meet Mexico's Ambassador to New Zealand.

Written from the stories below; each sentence links to its sources.