National Party leader Simon Bridges is laughing off criticism from Winston Peters that his party is 'leaderless, moribund and vacuous'.
Photo: RNZ / Cole Eastham-Farrelly
New Zealand First Winston Peters told the roughly 300 guests at his party's national conference over the weekend that National's behaviour since the election has only confirmed NZ First's good sense in going into coalition with Labour.
Mr Bridges laughed off the criticism and told Morning Report even Mr Peters' supporters are laughing.
"I think what it shows is a party that's struggling as your government is struggling. He said it himself, disfunction junction."
Mr Bridges said the comments are an attempt to distract from the serious issues the country is having, including high petrol prices, rent and electricity prices.
"It's a vintage Winston, let's distract from the real issues facing New Zealand, tactic."
Mr Peters predicted the National Party would go through two more leaders before the 2020 election.
But Mr Bridges said New Zealanders aren't interested in this and are more interested in the rising costs.
"Whenever he's at his weakest, he comes out fighting" - Simon Bridges
"It should be pretty simple what they [Jacinda Ardern and Winston Peters] should do, they should be stopping the more taxes they're putting on."
Mr Bridges said he doesn't give the criticism too much attention.
It's too early be thinking about whether he would rule out working with Mr Peters in the future, he said.