Carr–Peters scandal

This article is part of a series about Winston Peters
Early life Early political career MP for Hunua MP for Tauranga Māori loan affair Electoral history Deputy Prime Minister of New Zealand (1996–1998), (2017–2020), (2023–2025) New Zealand Minister of Foreign Affairs List of international trips as Foreign Minister Rise to power, 1990-1999 Fourth National Government of New Zealand (1990–1993) Winebox Inquiry 1993 Tauranga by-election 1993 New Zealand electoral reform referendum Establishment of New Zealand First 1993 New Zealand general election Tight Five Major minister of the Fourth National Government Mauri Pacific Fifth Labour Government Minister of Foreign Affairs (I) Views on Asian migrants Party donations scandal SuperGold Card Sixth Labour Government 2017 New Zealand general election Negotiations Minister of Foreign Affairs (II) COVID-19 pandemic in New Zealand Government response COVID-19 Protection Framework Sixth National Government 2023 New Zealand general election Government formation Minister of Foreign Affairs (III) Coalition of chaos Carr–Peters scandal
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The Carr–Peters scandal is an ongoing diplomatic and political scandal in Australasia, between Bob Carr, formerly Australian minister for Foreign Affairs and premier of New South Wales, and Winston Peters, New Zealand's current deputy prime minister and minister of foreign affairs. The scandal began with an initial incident on 2 May 2024, when Peters appeared on RNZ to discuss proposals to join Pillar 2 of AUKUS, a military pact Carr has strongly opposed, and allegedly defamed Carr by calling him "nothing more than a Chinese puppet",^[1] among other now-redacted insults.^[2][3]

A transcript of the interview and articles it spawned were rapidly censored after Carr accused Peters of libel. Peters stood by his statement about Carr at questions for oral answer in Parliament.^[4] After mulling over legal action, Carr announced later the same day would indeed be suing Peters.^[5] Peters then ridiculed such threats and compared Carr to Chumbawamba, an English band which had not followed through on threats to sue Peters for using their song 'Tubthumping' for political purposes without permission.^[6] In New Zealand there have been calls from the opposition for Peters to be stood down as a minister. Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has refused calls to dismiss Peters, his crucial coalition government partner, and has said that he was sure Carr "understands the rough and tumble of politics".^[7]