National economic development spokesperson Paul Goldsmith on Thursday said Jones' conversations with NZTA "can only be construed as an attempt to influence the decision-making", and he should resign.

"Jones has confirmed in the House that he spoke to NZTA's chief executive about the decisions and methods of the Semenoff prosecution. He told Newstalk ZB that he asked the NZTA chief for 'clarification as to why [NZTA] have been offering immunity and amnesty for Filipino truck drivers to, arguably, spy on New Zealand-owned businesses'.

"Today he accepted in the House that some of those 'Filipino truck drivers' no doubt worked for Semenoff Logging."

Jones said he has not offered the Prime Minister his resignation.

"She, I believe, realises that from time-to-time there might be a bit of bump and grind, and she's well within her rights to caution me to ensure that I don't represent an unwelcome distraction to the overarching narrative of the Government. I don't believe I do. In fact, where I go I'm met with popular acclamation," he claimed.

"People misapprehend what my role is. My role is to isolate those issues that time-to time-thwart and undermine regional development. As try as much as the Tories might to brand me as someone breaking High Court rules, the reality is I am a feasty, earthy, industrial-grade retail politician. That's what the people expect of me… not one single garden variety Kiwi has raised this with me as being a problem."

And he said he wouldn't stop talking about issues that affect the regions.

"You should not expect me to shut up, just because I say things that may make the windy bureaucrats feel a bit nervous, in actual fact that makes me more popular."

He said National's accusations of interference amounted to little more than "non-credible memes".

Newshub.