"Greens co-leader Rod Donald, faced with a dangerous international situation and a New Zealand economy heading for rough waters, apparently believes the best way to solve all these troubles is to insult the leader of our country's closest friend and major trading partner.

"In calling for the Prime Minister to cancel talks with Australia’s Prime Minister, John Howard, Mr Donald has shown his utter inability to think clearly about the best interests of this nation.

"Mr Donald may be getting admiring reviews from his tiny team of sycophants, but intelligent people believe continuing dialogue with our friends is the best way to achieve long-term gains for New Zealand, not silly little grandstanding stunts of no intellectual merit.

"Mr Donald should reflect on the illogic of demanding freedom of speech for the Iraqi people, but denying it to Mr Howard," said Mr Dunne.

Ends