Winston Peters and Simon Bridges traded jokes in Parliament today over the Foreign Minister's claim he was in "deep contemplation" during official business while on a visit to Turkey.

The exchange came after footage appeared to show Mr Peters nodding off while Turkey's President Erdogan delivered a speech on his recent trip to the nation.

National's leader was asking a question about Sir Michael Cullen's pay packet for his work in the Tax Working Group when he brought up the incident.

"Was any of Sir Michael's pay for deep contemplation or is it only the current not former deputy prime minister..." Mr Bridges began before the Speaker cut him off for the inappropriate question.

However, Mr Peters did address the comment in his next answer.

"Can I say that the Government has received the Cullen report, we are in deep contemplation of it and we'll be soon announcing our conclusion and can I say in that state of deep contemplation we can still beat them any day of the week," he said laughing.

"Can the Acting Prime Minister please elaborate for me what his deep contemplation looks like," Mr Bridges shot back with a smile.

"It looks like us over here and him over there," Mr Peters said bringing raucous laughter from his side of the House.

"By that does he mean asleep on the job?" Mr Bridges said also drawing laughter.

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