The NZ Young Nats have been criticised following a meme posted to the group's Twitter page that was deemed to be racist.
On Friday afternoon, the account posted Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern's face photoshopped onto Oprah Winfrey's body in a photo from the iconic TV moment when Ms Winfrey announced everyone in the audience was getting a free car.
The image reads: "Every island gets more money".
Ms Ardern has been on a Pacific Island Tour. Earlier in the week she pledged $10 million in aid to Tonga and nearly $10 million to Samoa to help the recovery following Cyclone Gita in both islands.
Twitter users were quick to jump on the defence, reminding the group that Tonga donated around $600,000 to the Christchurch Earthquake Appeal Fund.
"Your racist cynicism is dumbfounding and abhorrent. You might wanna check with Simon - he's *trying* to say the @NZNationalParty has moved on," one user wrote.
"This isn't funny and is actually poor taste," another user wrote.
Co-Convenor of the Young Greens of Aotearoa New Zealand Max Tweedie says The Young Greens wholeheartedly support the aid that’s been given to the Pacific.
The NZ Young Nats have been reached for comment.
Newshub.
