New Zealand First has shut down its social media pages while it holds an internal inquiry into potentially defamatory comments made on its Facebook pages.
Speaking from the party's annual conference in Christchurch, party leader Winston Peters says the comments were false and irresponsible.
He says he is not certain who made the comments but an inquiry will try to find out why they were happening.
"There were comments on it that are not going to be tolerated under the aegis of New Zealand First."
Radio New Zealand News understands the comments were directed at other political parties, and were made by a New Zealand First youth board member.
Mr Peters says young people should be given a chance to express themselves as long as they don't portray the party in a bad light.
