Duncan Webb. Photo: RNZ / Marika Khabazi
The Labour Party has invited New Zealand First to support its newest member's bill to repeal the Regulatory Standards Act.
Last week, New Zealand First leader Winston Peters vowed to campaign on repealing the controversial legislation at next year's election.
Labour MP Duncan Webb has now put a member's bill in the biscuit tin in the hopes it gets drawn and read a first time this term.
"Labour has committed to scraping the Regulatory Standards Act in its first 100 days - but we don't need to wait," he said.
"We can do it right now, if Winston Peters is willing to walk the walk."
Webb said he had contacted New Zealand First to ask for its support.
"Even though it [has] been obvious to everyone from the start, Winston Peters has finally admitted that this law is a bad idea, despite his party voting for it in Parliament.
"Today I'm giving him the chance to fix that mistake. I have contacted New Zealand First and asked for their support - let's see if they will back their words with action."
Peters has now hit back in a post on X, saying the only party playing political games is Labour.
The only party playing political games is the Labour Party.
— Winston Peters (@winstonpeters) November 24, 2025
Duncan Webb contacted our party whip just before 1030 this morning requesting our support for his members bill. Without waiting for our response, less than 50 minutes later, he sent a PR out to the media.
Mr Webb…
"Duncan Webb contacted our party whip just before 10.30am requesting our support for his members bill. Without waiting for our response, less than 50 minutes later, he sent a PR out to the media," he said.
"Mr Webb might want to use this serious issue as a political football but we don't."
Peters said New Zealand First would stick by its word and coalition agreements.
"Labour doesn't know what commitment and integrity means. We have always said from the start that the people should decide this issue.
"We first proposed a referendum. In the absence of that, we will now be seeking a mandate from New Zealanders at next year's election for the next government to undertake repeal."
Peter said Webb should have waited for his party to respond so he didn't end up looking like "a politicising rookie clown".
He added, "PS. Next time "scrapping" is with two 'P's. Not one. Unless you're scraping the bottom of the barrel", in reference to a spelling mistake in Labour's PR.
In that media release, Webb had said the National Party had risked everything "from our health to clean water and food safety" by choosing to back the law.
"They've chosen corporate lobbyists over public interest - every National MP should hang their head in shame.
"Thousands of New Zealanders made submissions on this law. Fewer than 1 percent supported it. [Prime Minister] Christopher Luxon pushed ahead anyway - it shows how weak and out of touch he really is.
"This bill can get rid of this harmful law once and for all and with New Zealand First's support, we can pass it.
"From heated homes to safe food, Kiwis should not be at the mercy of political whims.
"Labour will put Kiwis first, not corporate lobbyists. It's time to repeal this law and restore common sense to our regulations. This is Winston Peters' chance to do more than grab headlines - back my bill and help us scrap this law."
Peters was expected to depart for southeast Asia, in his role as foreign affairs minister, on Tuesday.
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