Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has given the Regional Economic Development Minister Shane Jones a slap on the wrist for his comments at the forestry conference earlier this month.
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and Regional Economic Development Minister Shane Jones. Photo: RNZ
The New Zealand First MP described himself as the champion of the forestry sector and if the sector liked the money they had received through the Provincial Growth fund, then they would need to back him.
The comments have been described as outrageous by the National Party.
Jacinda Ardern says Mr Jones will be taking the cabinet manual with him during the recess.
"It's an acknowledgement that his language should be much tighter particularly when it could be construed that he is speaking as a Minister.
"My expectation is that that kind of language just isn't appropriate particularly when you're at a function where those who are in attendance will believe that he is there as a Minister," she said.