Judith Collins has joked New Zealand's male Olympians need to step up in Paris after our female athletes won the majority of the medals in NZ’s record haul in Tokyo.
Women won 11 of the country's medals, with the men adding another nine to the tally.
The women won six out of our seven gold medals, after victories in kayaking, rowing and the women’s rugby sevens.
Today in Parliament, politicians took turns congratulating the Olympic team, with National's leader pointing out the female contribution.
"I will also shout out to our women athletes, it’s OK guys that you didn’t get quite as many as the girls, maybe you should try a bit harder next time," Collins joked.
"Ohhh that is so unfair, they all tried so hard," she quickly added as her colleagues grinned around her.
"It's been a great honour to congratulate the whole Olympic team," she concluded her address.
Silvers are a 50 per cent split when divided by gender while Kiwi men have a tendency to pick up bronzes.
Earlier, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern also gave praise to some of our female competitors.
"To the Black Ferns Sevens, I'm not sure I have ever been so stressed as watching the semi-final win over Fiji.
"This team is so dedicated to each other and to their country."
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