Shots have been fired across the House at Parliament today, with Winston Peters accusing Kaikoura MP Stuart Smith of being invisible to his constituents.

Mr Peters says he is often approached by local businessmen and women who say "they've never even spoken to 'Steven Smith' MP."

"I have to tell them he's not called Steven, but his name is Stuart - that makes my point," Mr Peters said.

But Economic Development Minister Simon Bridges lost no time firing back at the New Zealand First leader.

"I appreciate that the member has got his funny little conspiracies and grievances that go back a millennia or more," he said, to groans and laughter from the House.

The exchange happened during debate on the Kaikoura rebuild.