Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern will 'smile through' an attempt to smear the name of her partner, Clarke Gayford.
On Wednesday afternoon, Ms Ardern said she wouldn't be labelling false accusations lodged against Mr Gayford 'dirty politics' and she wouldn't be blaming anyone.
"To me it doesn't matter what you call it, and I won't be pointing any finger of blame to anyone.
"All I know is it's not why I'm here, it does not have anything to do with the job I need to do, and I'm going to smile through it as well. Beyond that, I have nothing more to say on it," Ms Ardern said.
Former Prime Minister Helen Clark has also weighed in on the topic, saying such smears are 'despicable'.
"There is a small minority of people who indulge in these smears - most people find them despicable," Ms Clark tweeted.
In an unusual move, police released a statement to media saying Mr Gayford is not subject to any police inquiry and has never been charged.
"While in general we do not respond to enquiries which seek to confirm if individuals are under police investigation, on this occasion we can say that Mr Gayford is not and has not been the subject of any police inquiry, nor has he been charged in relation to any matter," police said.
After the police statement was released, Newshub and other media received a letter from Mr Gayford's lawyer Linda Clark saying the allegations "are untrue and defamatory" and warning media against repeating the rumours.
"The article confirmed via a statement from NZ Police that Mr Gayford is not and has not been the subject of a police inquiry and has never been charged in relation to any matter.
"This letter puts you on notice that any publication of the substance of the allegations regarding Mr Gayford (which he denies and which are untrue) will be actionable."
The rumours have spread widely, with Newshub reporters receiving a number of inquiries from members of the public.
The National Party says it has nothing to do with the false allegations.
"As Leader I've repeatedly made my expectations very clear - National MPs will not be involved in peddling rumours or innuendo," Opposition leader Simon Bridges said.
"It is my expectation that they will be conscious of their dealings with media, and ensure they are above reproach."
Newshub.
