Foreign Minister Winston Peters' office set in motion an official Middle East visit within hours of heavyweight boxer Joseph Parker inviting him to watch a fight in Saudi Arabia, newly-released documents show.
The 1pm December 12, 2024 email from Parker's promoter suggested Saudi authorities would be delighted to host Peters, noting "huge trade potential" between the countries.
By 5pm, Peters' team informed the Foreign Affairs Ministry he wanted to attend, with officials understanding the minister was "very intent on visiting the Gulf next year" and would be "a keen spectator at the Joseph Parker event" if arrangements aligned.
Documents suggest Winston Peters planned Middle East travel around boxing - Watch on TVNZ+
New Zealand's ambassador to Saudi Arabia also assisted in ensuring Peters was well looked after for the February fight in Riyadh.
The visit formed part of a broader diplomatic tour that included the United Arab Emirates, China, Mongolia and South Korea, with Peters meeting senior government officials including the Saudi foreign minister and Chinese vice president.
Peters said the purpose of his Saudi visit was attending the Saudi Cup races, where Kiwi jockey James McDonald was competing, as he explored whether Saudi investors might be interested in New Zealand stud farms.
"That was the major specific part of that trip and happened to coincide with Joseph Parker as well," Peters said.
In correspondence obtained by 1News, officials described attending the Saudi Cup as a "pre-Parker fight option" for the minister in the documents.
Diplomatic meetings
During the Saudi leg of his trip, Peters met with the country's minister of state for foreign affairs and foreign minister, discussing bilateral cooperation on trade, investment, security and education, as well as Middle East developments.
He also met with Prince Bandar bin Khalid Al-Faisal, chair of the Jockey Club and Equestrian High Commission, to discuss investment opportunities in the racing industry.
Peters attended the Parker bout on February 23, hosted by Turki Al-Sheikh, advisor at the Royal Court and chair of the Entertainment Authority. The Kiwi fighter knocked out Martin Bakole in what was a significant performance and result for Parker.
The broader tour included meetings with the UAE deputy prime minister, China's foreign minister Wang Yi, the Mongolian prime minister, and South Korea's foreign minister.
Questions over priorities
Green Party foreign affairs spokesman Teanau Tuiono questioned whether the boxing match or official business came first.
"What came first, the chicken or the egg? Was it the foreign affairs trip or the boxing match, when that's the important question because there are really important issues out there and I don't think taxpayers would appreciate that," Tuiono said.
When asked if the Saudi visit was a boxing trip dressed up as a foreign minister's trip, Peters responded sharply: "Why do you say a stupid thing like that?
"Is being a full flushing idiot your specialty?"
Peters also attended another Parker fight last year while on an official trip to London. That bout ended badly – Parker lost and later tested positive for cocaine.
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