National's leader Simon Bridges said Mr Peters had adopted a much more supportive tone towards Russia.

"There's some troubling alternative facts on the face of it that Winston Peters is using, I think what's even more troubling is actually what we're also seeing from him, which is some pretty idiosyncratic, frankly based on what seem to be prejudices, changes in our foreign policy."

But Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said she was not concerned about Mr Peters' recent remarks about Russia and was not worried such comments could hurt the prospect of a free trade deal with the European Union.

Continue here to read the full RadiioNZ clip   ||  March 12, 2018   |||