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Peters tells Green MP “go back”, ignites China diplomatic row

8/5/2026

Summary

Story summary

Foreign Minister Winston Peters told Green MP Lawrence Xu-Nan to “go back to your own country,” prompting racism accusations and a China diplomatic breach.
Labour Deputy Leader Carmel Sepuloni called the remarks unacceptable and warned they could damage China relations.
Greens, Labour leaders and Prime Minister Christopher Luxon condemned the remarks, with the former urging Winston Peters’s removal and Luxon calling them offensive and demanding an apology.

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Story summary

Foreign Minister Winston Peters told Green MP Lawrence Xu-Nan to “go back to your own country,” prompting racism accusations and a China diplomatic breach.
Labour Deputy Leader Carmel Sepuloni called the remarks unacceptable and warned they could damage China relations.
Greens, Labour leaders and Prime Minister Christopher Luxon condemned the remarks, with the former urging Winston Peters’s removal and Luxon calling them offensive and demanding an apology.