New Zealand Foreign Minister Winston Peters. Photo: RNZAustralia's closest ally has raised alarm at the coalition's leadership turnover, even joking it may not be worth building a relationship with the new shadow foreign minister. New Zealand Foreign Minister Winston Peters says he is "aghast" at the "inexcusable" turmoil in Australian political ranks which he attributes to "ego". In contrast, Penny Wong has served as Labor's foreign affairs spokesperson in opposition and then government for almost a decade. Mr Peters is a mainstay of Kiwi politics, first elected to parliament in 1979 and founding the populist New Zealand First party in 1993.

Source: Otago Daily Times February 19, 2026 00:57 UTC