Winston Peters was forced to apologise for joking that Simon Bridges political strategy is "based on a wing and a prayer" during question time in Parliament today.
Mr Bridges was asking Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern if the spiritual wellbeing of Kiwis should be a focus of the Government when Mr Peters made the statement.
"Could I ask the Prime Minister would not spiritual health be an important indicator if your whole political strategy is based on a wing and a prayer?" Mr Peters asked.
The question prompted Speaker of the House Trevor Mallard to ask the Deputy Prime Minister to withdraw and apologise, noting he should know better as he has been in Parliament at least three times longer than Mr Bridges.
Mr Peters apologised before stating he didn't impugn the question toward anyone "unless you're going to believe me when the glove fits you wear it" he said to the Speaker.
The comment meant Mr Peters received a "final warning" from the Speaker.
Mr Bridges then continued to press Ms Ardern on whether indicators on New Zealanders' spiritual wellbeing was important at a time when people are paying "$50 more a week in rent" than under the previous Government.
The Prime Minister accused Mr Bridges of making a mockery of people's spirituality and said the Government is attempting to fix the housing crisis by supplying more housing which will in turn bring down rental costs.
The National Party Leader says he is losing faith in statistics with results yet to be released.
Mr Bridges stated in a press release shortly after the exchange that "the 100 plus 'wellbeing' indicators released by Stats NZ today are not achievable and will not improve the wellbeing of New Zealand families.
"What will really improve the wellbeing of Kiwis is a strong economy and more money in their back pockets. Kiwis need access to a good education system, healthcare services and housing.
"As the economy slows 'ability to be yourself' and 'locus of control' won’t help pay the rent, buy the groceries or fill up the car.
"The Government needs to stop distracting itself with unachievable wellbeing indicators and focus on what really matters for New Zealanders," Mr Bridges says.
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