Winston Peters' tantrums turn Pike River meeting into 'circus'

Winston Peters put on a show of tantrums, toy throwing, and trouble making at Parliament during two select committee sessions regarding a possible re-entry into Pike River.

Pike families and experts were submitting a petition at the time, and Solid Energy bosses were there for the company's annual review.

The New Zealand First leader clashed on numerous occasions with the new chair of the Commerce Committee, National MP Melissa Lee, who had to apologise to the submitters and the public for his behaviour.

"I'm not going allow you to turn this into a circus," she told Mr Peters before turning to Pike families spokesman Bernie Monk, petitioner Dame Fiona Kidman, and mines expert Tony Forster.

"I apologise for this circus, I'm so sorry about that."

The drama started because Mr Peters had been denied the ability to ask a question to the three guests by Ms Lee, prompting a back and forth of jibes, digs, and insults.

It looked like it was all over when Mr Peters apologised to the guests for the "ructions", but he turned on Ms Lee again.

"I want you and those 29 families to know that some of us at Parliament are not going to take that sort of shut down or cover-up, and that is what you are guilty of Madam Chair."

It was a similar story in the following meeting with Solid Energy bosses.

Newshub.