Winston Peters: John Key's 'curtains don't match carpet'

Has Winston Peters seen my curtains? John Key in Parliament today. Photo / One News / Screengrab

Debate over whether the Prime Minister is dying his hair turned into an exchange on soft furnishings after NZ First leader Winston Peters questioned why John Key's "curtains don't match the carpet".

Mr Peters claimed yesterday that Mr Key had dyed his hair - something Mr Key denied, saying Mr Peters was clearly losing his eyesight.

When Mr Peters asked Mr Key in Parliament today whether he stood by all his statements, Mr Key replied that he did, especially his statement that "there's no dye in these locks, baby".

Mr Peters then asked: "Well, why don't the curtains match the carpet then?" That is a relatively well-known reference to other body hair.

Politicians across the chamber erupted with laughter and NZ First deputy leader Tracey Martin tried to cover her eyes.

Mr Key jokingly objected: "I take offence that the member is telling New Zealand he's seen my carpet."

Mr Peters then rather futilely tried to claim he was referring to "the sideboards" but it was to no avail. The joke spread on Twitter, eliciting puns about Mr Peters' finally getting Mr Key by the short and curlies.