‘Stay away’ from Manus, Barnaby Joyce tells Jacinda Ardern

Jacinda Ardern responds after Barnaby Joyce warned her to “stay away” from Australia’s refugee business.

Barnaby Joyce has told NZ PM Jacinda Ardern to mind her own business over Manus. Picture: AFP.

Jacinda Ardern says Australia is being “overly sensitive’’ about refugees on Manus Island after Barnaby Joyce issued a warning for New Zealand to “stay away’’ from the issue.

Last month Ms Ardern blasted Australia’s handling of the refugee crisis on Manus Island as “unacceptable” offering to accept 150 refugees during her first meeting with Malcolm Turnbull as PM.

The Deputy Prime Minister was asked on New Zealand radio last night about Ms Ardern’s offer.

“I think it’s best if you stay away from another country’s business, I find that, because otherwise they will return the favour at a time they think is most opportune for them,’’ he said.

“So it’s just, let’s respect countries’ sovereignty and let them sort out their own issues, and if you’re going to talk to them at all, talk to them quietly and discreetly off the record, not via telephone and not via TV.”

But Ms Ardern says the only reason she’s bought into the subject is because Australian politicians have spoken about it.

“I haven’t raised this as an issue for weeks. I’ve been asked questions because my Australian counterparts have spoken of it, that is the only reason,” she told reporters in Wellington on Wednesday.

NZ opposition leader Bill English said Mr Joyce’s comments showed strain in the relationship between the two countries.

“The prime minister’s campaign on Manus Island I think has gone further than making her own point and is probably creating some tension in the relationship,” he said.

He has previously labelled the offer — first extended by then National prime minister John Key and later by Mr English himself — a “crusade” for Ms Ardern’s domestic audience.

Ms Ardern has also pledged $2.7m to pay for “essential services” for asylum seekers on Manus and Nauru.

Additional reporting: AAP