Former National leader Judith Collins says she identifies as a "27-year-old Slovakian model" amid questions over Christopher Luxon's comments on gender.
Her colleague, Michael Woodhouse, says Collins' remark is a "flippant way to make a point" on what he believes is a serious issue.
Luxon appeared on Sean Plunket's The Platform on Friday and was asked how many "biological genders" he believes there are.
"I think there are two biological genders," he replied. "Obviously, transgender rights and sports are up to sports institutions to determine how they handle it."
The question of whether transgender women and men should be able to compete in the same sporting categories as cis-gender women and men is something sport bodies have been grappling with. Some have opted to create 'open' categories, while others have limited participation.
The issue's become politicised overseas, including during the recent Conservative Party leadership contest in the United Kingdom.
While Plunket and Luxon discussed the matter in terms of biological gender, there is a difference between gender and sex. Sex refers to biological attributes, while gender is a social construct.
Plunket put it to Luxon that his answer suggested he didn't have a position on whether "women sporting events should be for natural and biological women".
"That is my preference, but ultimately it is left to each individual sports organisation…You have got to find a way so that you can actually have biological people, biological folk that actually don't have any undue or perceived unfairness going on in those sports and that is for those sports bodies to determine."
Matt Doocey, National's mental health spokesperson, said there is a "big debate" on gender and "we should be very cautious".
"We are talking about individual people. I know it is very quick to throw a label around. But, in the end, it is individuals' lives we are talking about and I think especially in mental health awareness week, we should be very aware of that."
National MP Barbara Kuriger said people "identify with a range of things", while Simeon Brown said there can be a difference between what people identify as and their biological sex.
Collins said it was up to individuals to decide how they identify.
"[It's] pretty clear to me that you are either born a male of female, or else, there are some people who are born with both genders. I have no problem with other people choosing to be whoever they like to be."
She then said: "Personally, I self-identify as a 27-year-old Slovakian model".
Woodhouse said it was a "very, very complex issue for many people".
Asked about Collins' comment about how she identified, Woodhouse smiled.
"I think it's a flippant way to make a point and that is, gender identity and biological sex are two different things… it sounded like a fairly flippant comment."
Harete Hipango told Newshub: "There is a thing called a sense of humour".
"I don't know if it is flippancy or not"
Collins has previously said she'd like to be a Slovakian tennis player.
"I'm thinking of self-identifying as a 27-year-old six-foot Slovakian tennis player. I reckon I'd be excellent like that, and I would be even nicer than I am now if I was like that," she told AM in 2019.
"I could be that... But I want all the brains and experience that goes with not being a 27-year-old Slovakian tennis player, six-foot tall, who could serve like anything."
Luxon was asked on Tuesday to clarify his remarks on how many genders there are.
"There is men and women and there is a range of ways in which people express their gender identities and I am very comfortable with that."
He said it was up to sporting bodies to decide in what categories transgender people compete in.
"For the sporting bodies, they are best placed to make those decisions and balancing fairness and also making sure they balance inclusivity as well."
