Shane Jones has accepted a freebie to be wined and dined at Air New Zealand's Barack Obama dinner, while heavily criticising the airline.
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern today told the Minister for Regional Economic Development he's out of line for calling for the resignation of Air New Zealand management.
"If anyone on that board believes that they are going to muzzle me as a champion for the provinces, then they are sadly mistaken," Mr Jones said.
Today he called for the airline's chairman Tony Carter to step down and for the chief executive Christopher Luxton to stay out of politics.
The minister took his first swipe at the national carrier last week, in front of Air New Zealand management, saying it's letting down the regions.
The Prime Minister is now attempting to ground him, as the coalition hits some bumps.
The Prime Minister says calling for the sacking of any board member is a step too far.
"Calling for the sacking of any board member is a step too far, and I have told Shane Jones that," Ms Ardern said.
National leader Simon Bridges said: "What we've got here is bullying, is personal attacks, is the calling for resignations."
Air New Zealand declined to comment to 1 NEWS today, but has said it's proud of the work they're doing in the provinces.
Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters, though, is defending his fellow New Zealand First MP.
Asked does he think Air New Zealand should be able to do as it pleases, Mr Peters said: "No I don't. Sorry, it's called accountability. You're dealing with a publicly owned enterprise in the main. We bailed them out many years ago and nobody in the Air New Zealand set up then was concerned about what politicians were saying."
Finance Minister Grant Robertson said he's the shareholding minister, "and I have said to you today that I believe that Air New Zealand is a successful company and that the chair and the chief executive are doing a good job".
Despite today's slap on the wrists, Mr Jones is not backing down.
"My challenge to the board remains the same - do not write provincial New Zealand out of Air New Zealand's script," he said
"They're handsomely paid, they should be able to tolerate political opinion, political challenges. If you don't like that don't take the director's salary."
Mr Jones is unapologetic, but happy to attend tomorrow's night dinner with Barack Obama, one of the major sponsors being Air New Zealand.
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