The National Party may be very displeased New Zealand hasn't followed suit with Britain's allies in expelling Russian diplomats, but for Winston Peters the threat of Soviet surveillance is nothing new.

Under a barrage of prodding during Parliamentary question time today, the Foreign Minister was asked flatly "for how long has he been aware of Russian intelligence activity in New Zealand," by National Trade spokesperson Todd McClay.

"Since I was a young boy," Mr Peters replied, to raptures from his side of the House.

This did not dissuade McClay however, who for the second straight day relentlessly tried to get a concession out of Mr Peters that Russian diplomats and spys exist in New Zealand embassies.

The Opposition insists the Government should expel them if so, in solidarity Britain over the Salisbury nerve agent attack on March 4.

Yesterday in question time, Mr Peters said the government was acting on advice from the NZSIS.

"I'm advised by the NZSIS, and so has the Prime Minister been, that there is no individual here in New Zealand that fits the profile of those being expelled by other countries - that is people within the embassies in other countries," Mr Peters said.

"If there were we would have taken action a long time before Salisbury.

"Having been in politics for some time I prefer to listen to the NZSIS, I'd rather listen to people with experience than a few flighty journalists from abroad.

"And if they want to make the kind of noise that Simon Bridges is making right now, showing how unprepared he is for leadership because he's prepared to react to every phone call from some foreign embassy rather than his own national interests."

Many of Britain's allies are acting in solidarity with Britain after its government blamed Russia for attacking a former spy with nerve agent in England.

New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said that while other countries are expelling "undeclared Russian intelligence agents" — or spies — they haven't found anybody in New Zealand fitting that profile.

But security analyst Paul Buchanan told Radio New Zealand the politicians are trying to wriggle out of their responsibilities and their stance has made New Zealand a laughing stock.

He says some of the Russians kicked out of other countries are regular diplomats and the expulsions are often only symbolic.

Russia's ambassador to Australia says the dozens of countries that have expelled Russian diplomats in response to the recent nerve agent attack on a former Russian military intelligence officer and his daughter in Britain are "not a significant number."