NZ First faced further backlash today, but attempted to turn the tables on National. 

Winston Peters says NZ First MP Jenny Marcroft wasn't acting under any ministerial authority when she's alleged to have told National's Mark Mitchell to back away from a project in his electorate or he wouldn't get money for it.

The money would have come from from the Regional Development Fund.

Marcroft initially said she was acting at the behest of a minister but later withdrew that.

Peters says that was never the case, and that none of the other NZ First ministers was told.

He says that he does not believe they should have been talking about it in the first place as the regional fund does not cover the project.

"It's in the Super City, it doesn't qualify."

Later in Parliament, Peters accused Mitchel, the former Defence Minister, of having used an Air Force helicopter for his own use.

Mitchell earlier this month accused Defence Minister Ron Mark of using Air Force helicopters as his "personal taxi service", which Mark denied.

In parliament today, Peters said: "On June 9, 2017, he (Mr Mitchell) took an NH90 (Air Force helicopter) from Whenuapai to that far distant place, Papakura, so he could make it to a dinner."

Mitchell denied it, telling the house: "During my time as defence minister I never rode in an NH90."

However, Peters wasn't finished, adding: "On May 5 Mr Mitchell took a jaunt around Auckland on a Seasprite (Navy helicopter) for a media opportunity to get stock footage of him playing Top Gun," he said.

- with content from NZ Newswire

 

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