Winston Peters has denied he has ever had any Prime Ministerial ambitions.

The current Deputy PM will be taking over from Jacinda Ardern for six weeks while she is on maternity leave.

Speaking with The Country's Jamie Mackay, Peters bristled at the suggestion he was after the job. 

"I've never run for the job, never boasted about doing that, and have never had a record of putting my ambitions ahead of the interest of my country."

Peters says he could have been Prime Minister in 1990 if he had stuck with the National Party.

LISTEN TO WINSTON PETERS TALK WITH JAMIE MACKAY ABOVE