Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and National leader Judith Collins have delivered and been on the receiving end of sharp-witted exchanges in the House. Photo / NZME
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and National leader Judith Collins have delivered and been on the receiving end of sharp-witted exchanges in the House. Photo / NZME
When Deputy Prime Minister Grant Robertson made headlines yesterday taking aim at the National Party's recent trials and tribulations every chink in the Opposition's armour was fair game.
While National politicians did their best to feign indifference, Robertson injected enough humour in his roasting, that even they struggled to keepthe odd snigger from escaping their lips.
Debates in the House can involve the trading of brutal, scathing and sometimes witty insults between parties.
We've assembled some of the most enduring wisecracks delivered by politicians over past decades.
Sir Robert Muldoon described the actions of Kiwis who left New Zealand for Australia as raising the IQ of both countries. Photo / File
"New Zealanders who leave for Australia raise the IQs of both countries."
In the 1970s a travel arrangement was struck between Australia and New Zealand for citizens to visit, live and work in each other's countries without restriction. Between 1976 and 1982 more than 100,000 Kiwis settled permanently in Australia.
A master of the quick retort, Muldoon had a reply at the ready for any complaints about this: "New Zealanders who leave for Australia raise the IQ of both countries."
2.) Rob Muldoon on former Labour Prime Minister Bill Rowling
"A shiver looking for a spine to run down."
The former National prime minister once described Rowling as "a shiver looking for a spine to run down". The same remark was delivered during yesterday's roast with Robertson dubbing Chris Bishop as the "well-known shiver looking for a spine to run down".
3.) David Lange on Peter Dunne, 1980s
"A man whose life is so boring that if it flashed past he wouldn't be in it."
The former UnitedFuture leader, cabinet minister and ex-Labour MP famously had his minor party's flagging political fortunes revived thanks to a worm on a televised debate. But before this poll-shifting episode, his former leader once described him as "A man whose life is so boring that if it flashed past he wouldn't be in it."
4.) Tau Henare on Hone Harawira, 2011
"So racist he has chocolate milk in his cup of tea."
When the former National politician walked the corridors of power he was dubbed the Minister of Twitter owing to his prolific use of the social media site. The remark, directed at Tai Tokerau MP Hone Harawira, was largely considered as overstepping the line. "So racist he has chocolate milk in his cup of tea."
National MP Paula Bennett famously told Labour's Jacinda Ardern to "zip it, sweetie". Photo / NZPA
5.) Paula Bennett to Jacinda Ardern, 2012
"Zip it, sweetie."
The famous quip came during a heated debate in Parliament as social development minister Paula Bennett went head-to-head with Labour's spokesperson. When Bennett tried to answer a question her voice was drowned out.
"If you want to listen to the answer," she said, before adding "zip it, sweetie," directing the remark at Ardern.
6.) Kim Dotcom at the Parliamentary inquiry into the GCSB spying on New Zealand residents 2013
While not strictly in the debating chamber this memorable showdown between internet mogul Kim Dotcom and former prime minister John Key during a select committee over laws extending the powers of our spies led to a curious exchange over personal comfort.
"Why are you turning red, prime minister?" Dotcom asked.
"I'm not, why are you sweating?" was Key's response.
"I'm hot", Dotcom said.
7.) John Key on David Cunliffe, 2013
Former prime minister Sir John Key was giving his prime ministerial statement for the year commenting on how the National-led government were going ahead leaps and bounds. A comparison of the struggling Labour party led to him to remark on the power struggle between leader David Shearer and David Cunliffe. During his speech to Parliament Key noted: "David Cunliffe remains as popular in the Labour caucus as a pussy cat at Gareth Morgan's house" referring to the top economist turned political party founder's plan to eradicate cats.
Chloe Swarbrick dropped a casual "okay boomer" during a speech in Parliament that reverberated around the world. Photo / Twitter
8.) Chloe Swarbrick to heckling National MP Todd Muller, 2019
"Okay, boomer."
When Green MP Chlöe Swarbrick dropped a casual "Okay boomer" in response to being heckled during her speech in Parliament it made headlines around the world.
While speaking about the Zero Carbon Bill, in extremely boomer fashion National MP Todd Muller took a jibe at the millennial politician during her speech.
"In the year 2050, I will be 56 years old. Yet right now the average age of this 52nd Parliament is 49 years old," she says before dropping an "Okay boomer" when she is heckled before continuing.
9.) Judith Collins on Winston Peters' chances in the Newshub debate in the 2020 election
During last year's election National leader Judith Collins was asked on a televised debate what she thought of New Zealand First leader Winston Peters and if she thought he was irrelevant. Never one to mince her words Collins served a zinger squarely at the deputy prime minister.
"As a Christian I do believe in miracles, but I tell you what, he won't be one of them."
