Wellington: With a condolence motion for late prime minister Mike Moore and a state-of-the- nation speech from Jacinda Ardern, the first parliamentary sitting week in New Zealand should have been a gentle introduction to the election year ahead.

Instead, it was marred by scandal and ended with a poll that showed the Ardern government as on the brink of being a one-term wonder.

And at the heart of it all was Winston.

Under pressure: Winston Peters, NZ Deputy Prime Minister. Credit:AAP

Winston Peters, the Deputy Prime Minister and leader of Ardern's coalition partner NZ First, is increasingly being called out on party practices.