Winston Peters has told media there's no bad blood between him and Green Party leader James Shaw, despite the Greens seemingly being shut out of the coalition talks between NZ First and Labour.
Mr Peters was questioned by media after emerging from his latest round of coalition talks, saying he has been misrepresented when it comes to his feelings on the Green Party leader.
"You know full well that contrary to what you people say, I've never had a bad word about him (James Shaw) that you can possibly quote because I've never said something bad about him in my career," he said.
James Shaw says Jacinda "seems to be doing a good job" of negotiations with Winston Peters.
"So could you just leave it at the fact that I'm talking about NZ First and what we're doing."
The NZ First leader says the talks will continue until tomorrow evening, then he will take both options to his board.
Mr Peters appeared to grow frustrated, repeatedly telling reporters he was only interested in speaking about NZ First policy concerns in the negotiation talks, not those of the Green Party, Labour or National.
"I'll ask you for the umpteenth time, could you just stick to what NZ First is interested in and not the other parties," Mr Peters said.
The NZ First leader says policies not portfolios have been discussed in the coalition negotiations.
Mr Peters was previously asked about the Green Party having a say in a deal with NZ First and Labour.
"Please don't ask me to explain your gross misrepresentation of the political situation in this country for the last three years," he said, in reference to previous reports of a potential Labour-Green government.
The coalition negotiations are set to continue until at least tomorrow evening.
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