National Party leader Christopher Luxon has ruled out working with Brian Tamaki's latest political venture at the next election should the opportunity arise.
Luxon had been under fire from MPs in the Government and some political commentators for failing to do so when asked last week.
However, he struck a different note on Thursday.
"I don’t think it's a big surprise. I don’t think they'd make it (Freedoms NZ), I don't agree with anything they say, we have nothing in common.
"If you want me to rule it out I'm happy to do that."
Luxon first made the admission on Newstalk ZB, saying, "I think they're crazy, I don't think they're serious, I don't think they're going to make it and you saw that coalition fall apart if you read between the lines".
The National leader had not yet ruled out working with Brian Tamaki's latest political venture. (Source: 1News)
It comes after Luxon last week said while he doesn't think the NZ Freedoms Party will get enough votes and that it was highly unlikely he would work with them, he also refused to rule out working with them outright.
That caused Deputy Prime Minister Grant Robertson to fire up at Luxon during a speech in the House on Wednesday.
"What Mr Luxon has done by failing to rule out Brian Tamaki undermines the inclusive and accepting society that I would have hoped he would have been part of," Robertson said.
"Do not say to young gay New Zealanders that they do not matter, do not say to the women of New Zealand that they do not have a place in leadership.
"Because Mr Luxon you will be judged by the company you keep."
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