The National Party furore has sent New Zealand media into a frenzy, but there's also been a strong reaction from media across the world.
Photo: SBS/Indian Weekender/Daily Post
A phone conversation recorded and released by former National member Jami-Lee Ross has sent waves across the world.
Calling a fellow National MP "f***ing useless" and talking about who else could go wasn't the only bombshell in the telephone recording between party leader Simon Bridges and Mr Ross.
They also talked about dinner with businessman Zhang Yikun, a $100,000 donation, and potential candidates for the party with comments about their ethnicity that have been labelled as "racist" and "ugly" by New Zealanders.
Mr Zhang's life has also been of interest to world media, with Associated Press reporting: "An autobiographical account he wrote on an overseas Chinese website says his grandfather was a Thai businessman who returned to China. He was born into a farmer's family and spent time in the army before migrating to New Zealand.
Zhang started out running restaurants but company registries show he later branched out into residential property and construction."
A headline from local publication Indian Weekender, mainly serving Kiwi Indians, says: What? Two Chinese MPs are more valuable than two Indian MPs? What makes you think that boys?
World headlines:
- Washington Post: New Zealand political leader taped speaking inappropriately
- New Zealand politician taped calling his lawmaker 'f---ing useless'
- The Guardian: NZ opposition leader accused of concealing $100,000 political donation
- Daily Mail: New Zealand opposition leader left red-faced as audio tape emerges
- SBS News: Secret tape causes chaos for NZ opposition
- Daily Telegraph: Former NZ National Party MP releases taped conversation with leader
Chinese media have also picked up on the National Party saga involving Chinese businessman Zhang Yikun.
- Mandarin Pages: The center of every political scandal is a wealthy Chinese businessman?
- Mandarin Pages: Jami-Lee Ross complains to the police about the Simon Bridges National Party scandal involving 100,000 yuan from Chinese rich businessmen
In other New Zealand news that world media have picked up on, the country's crowning of "Bird of the Year" has left some poking fun at the winner: