National leader Simon Bridges and Shadow Leader of the House Gerry Brownlee have been kicked out of the debating chamber in Parliament, and were then followed by colleagues in solidarity.
It came after Mr Bridges asked Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern if she was "ducking and diving" over the Karel Sroubek fiasco.
"Has she entirely washed her hands of anything to do with the Sroubek fiasco, and is she ducking and diving to get out of its way?
"Oh, here comes the protection," he said when Speaker Trevor Mallard stood up.
"No," said Mr Mallard, and asked Mr Bridges to leave.
"Struck a raw nerve," Mr Brownlee said.
Mr Brownlee was then asked to also leave.
A number of National MPs followed their senior colleagues, with Nikki Kaye, Matt Dosey, Nathan Guy, Michael Woodhouse and David Carter the only ones remaining to ask questions in the House.
Mr Bridges told media afterwards he said "here comes the protection" to Mr Mallard, which was the reason he was asked to leave the House.
Former Leader of the House David Carter asked Mr Mallard to reconsider his policy on deducting questions.
"Your action this week has not been helpful. The Opposition's job is to hold the Government to account."
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