Winston Peters has missed his Tuesday morning appointment with the AM Show after failing to arrive on time for the second week in a row.
Mr Peters is currently Acting Prime Minister while Jacinda Ardern takes six weeks off following the birth of her daughter Neve on June 21.
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As part of his duties he is filling in for Ms Ardern at her regular interviews, including the weekly Tuesday at 6:40am spot on the AM Show.
Mr Peters was due to arrive at the Beehive theatrette at 6:20, but he didn't get there on time, and was still not there at 6:40.
Host Duncan Garner was not surprised.
"I've had a bit to do with Mr Peters over the years, usually late at night, which means that I always knew he was never going to be there in the morning," he said.
"He's not a morning person."
The Prime Minister's office is taking the fall for the mess up.
"This is a simple case of a scheduling stuff up. My office incorrectly advised the Acting Prime Minister that he was on at 6.50am, when that time hadn't been agreed at all," chief press secretary Andrew Campbell told Newshub.
"I take responsibility for the mistake, but I also sent a clarification through to the host of the AM Show around 7.30 and requested that my clarification and apology be read out on air."
On the AM Show, Garner said the show is taking a stand on Mr Peters' tardiness and he won't be invited on for the next few weeks.
Somebody else can front for the Government on the show, provided they're on time.
"We will look for someone else, thanks very much," Garner said, later in the show.
Neither of the other hosts were happy with the Acting PM, host Amanda Gillies pointing out Jacinda Ardern was able to turn up to her weekly interview on time while heavily pregnant.
"He has this one job, every week, it was agreed to. I just think it's insulting and it's actually rude if you don't want to do it say no or fill it with someone else," she said.
Mark Richardson used Ms Ardern's own words to describe Mr Peters conduct, calling the no shows and lateness unacceptable.
"It's disrespectful to others and I'm sorry it's unacceptable in this day and age to have a Prime Minister who is disrespectful to the good people of this country," he said.
"That's what he's doing."
A spokesperson for Winston Peters said he was with the camera team and ready for the interview at 6:45, five minutes after he was supposed to go to air.
Newshub.
