National Party leader Judith Collins has taken a swipe at Donald Trump, saying it is important to have evidence before making allegations of fraud.
National Party leader Judith Collins says standing down is "not the honourable thing to do". Photo: RNZ / Dom Thomas
Trump is already questioning the legitimacy of the election result before the final count is complete.
Speaking to RNZ today, Collins said it paid for leaders to be gracious in both success and defeat.
"Whatever the result of the election, it's always best to accept that and do so with good grace. Just as it is when someone wins an election, to act in the best interests of their country, and to show good grace in that too.'
"I think it's always important before anyone makes allegations of fraud that they have at least some evidence of it, but I'm sure that's a matter that will be played out in the courts for some time in the US.
"I just say, thankfully in New Zealand we don't generally have that position."
Asked if she thought the relationship between the two countries would improve under a Joe Biden presidency, Collins was optimistic.
"I hope the US relationship with New Zealand will improve, but then I always hope it will improve."
Joe Biden and Donald Trump pictured campaigning in October. Photo: AFP
She added that watching the US results was a better experience than her own a couple of weeks ago.
"(It) was much more fun for me to watch than our election."
While Collins was happy to weigh in, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern refused to comment on Trump's remarks that the US election was a fraud.
Ardern told media in Auckland today there was still no final outcome to comment on at this stage.
"As votes are still being counted I think the whole world waits for the final outcome in the United States.
"But of course we continue to have faith in those institutions, as I'm sure they do."
Ardern said it was her job to work with whoever the president was, which the people would decide.
She said that in the event the president changed there was an existing relationship with Biden as he had visited New Zealand before.