ACT party leader David Seymour has taken a cheeky dig at incoming Prime Minister Christopher Luxon over a scratch on his face.
Photos emerged on the social media site Reddit on Wednesday showing scratch marks on the side of Seymour's face.
People were quick to question if something untoward happened during coalition talks.
"Back chatting winnie has a cost,” one person commented.
A third person added, "Maybe winnies got a good right hook?"
But Seymour revealed on AM on Thursday morning he was simply a victim of a shaving accident.
"The internet sometimes gets things right but not always. Basically, I was just shaving. Fresh blade, in a hurry and then whack," he told AM.
But while tensions might be high with the coalition negotiations, Seymour didn't miss the opportunity to take a cheeky dig at the National Party leader.
"I just thought I have a new admiration for Chris Luxon because I only have to do my face," he told AM co-host Ryan Bridge.
It comes as coalition negotiations have gone 12 days since the final results were revealed at the start of November.
Wednesday was a milestone day in the negotiations with the three leaders – Seymour, Luxon and Peters – finally sitting down together for a combined meeting.
The milestone was reached in Auckland on Wednesday after a dramatic no-show from Peters in the capital on Tuesday.
But it could still take several more days until a deal is done, with the parties involved - National, ACT and New Zealand First - battling substantive disagreements.
Watch the full moment above.
