Kneecap, a music group known for being outspoken on world events, have extended an invite to Winston Peters to attend their upcoming shows in NZ.
Peters called the musicians "a bunch of low IQ weasels" after the group publicly backed Greens MP Tamatha Paul following her statement about English being a "bastard language".
Kneecap's Móglaí Bap and Mo Chara told Stuff on Friday they think Paul is "incredible", praising her efforts in Parliament.
"That's the kind of person you want in your corner," said Mo Chara.
"I don’t think the English language is any threat of decline of speakers or disappearing any time soon," said Móglaí Bap, defending Paul's comments.
Peters responded by taking to social media, telling Kneecap to return to Ireland if they don't agree with NZ First's English language bill.
"We are proud of our country’s history and our foundation English language - which is now an official language thanks to NZ First.
"We are not going to sit by and be lectured by some bunch of low IQ weasels who have no idea about history, and even less of an idea about the woke cultural madness they foolishly promote - that goes for the hopeless TikTok politicians in the Green Party spouting that crap too.
"If we are the only ones to stand up for and be proud of our country, our heritage, and our language then so be it - but if this group of try-hard performers don’t like our stance on the English language they should naff off back home," Peters said.
However, the X post didn't bother the Irishmen, who said the foreign affairs minister was "invited to the party".
Kneecap were granted an exemption to perform in NZ despite being considered "excluded persons".
Law dictates people who are banned from entering other countries fall under the excluded persons title and are unable to travel into New Zealand.
Kneecap were banned from Hungary in 2025 after authorities argued their presence at a festival could be considered a threat to national security.
They are also banned with Canada, with the government arguing the trio endorsed political violence and terrorist organisations Hamas and Hezbollah.
Kneecap deny the accusations, claiming their support for Palestine does not equate antisemitism or support for Hamas.
The group is known for their controversial stances on global events, with Mo Chara being charged in the UK after flying a Hezbollah flag during a London show.
Kneecap are set to perform two NZ shows in 2027: Auckland on February 9 and Wellington on February 10.
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