Labour leader Chris Hipkins said MP Barbara Edmonds was wrong to call Finance Minister Nicola Willis a "duck-faced horse" [1].

The incident occurred during a leaked audio recording of a Labour Party meeting over the weekend [1]. The controversy arrives as New Zealand navigates the political climate of the 2026 election, where party conduct and public image are under intense scrutiny.

Hipkins said it was right for Edmonds to apologise for the remark [1]. He described the situation as a "ridiculous exercise" and said the comment was offensive [2].

According to Hipkins, the insult was the result of party members getting carried away with a "silly question" [2]. He said members went too far during the internal session [2].

The Labour leader said the behavior did not meet the standards expected of his party. By distancing the party leadership from the remark, Hipkins sought to mitigate the potential fallout from the leaked audio [1].

Finance Minister Nicola Willis was the target of the specific insult during the meeting [1]. The leaked audio has since sparked discussions regarding the internal culture of the Labour Party, and how its members discuss political opponents behind closed doors [1].

Hipkins said an apology was the appropriate response to the offensive language [1]. He did not elaborate on the specific nature of the "silly question" that led to the comment [2].

“Barbara Edmonds was "wrong" to call Finance Minister Nicola Willis a "duck-faced horse"”

This incident highlights the volatility of the 2026 election cycle, where leaked internal communications can quickly become public liabilities. By framing the insult as a product of a 'silly' exercise rather than a reflection of party policy, Hipkins is attempting to neutralize a narrative of unprofessionalism and maintain a focus on policy over personal attacks.