New Zealand First deputy leader Shane Jones has apologised after making a comment seemingly about Finance Minister Nicola Willis’ weight loss.

His leader, Winston Peters, has also called the comment “unacceptable”.

Jones was being asked on Thursday about Willis and the National Party reminding New Zealanders that NZ First went with Labour in 2017 and suggesting it was possible again.

He was reticent to hit back at National, but among his responses was: “It’s the bump and grind of politics ... I don’t know, maybe it’s an outcome of losing too much weight.”

Later, Jones told journalists: “I owe an apology to Nicola Willis.”

“It has been reported that my remarks were not in keeping with what one would expect from a senior parliamentarian, and I shall be very mindful in answering questions in the future that don’t have an unnecessarily hurtful impact on my colleagues.”

Willis’ office had no comment.

Peters told the Herald: “The comment was unacceptable, I spoke to Shane, and he publicly apologised. Shane has also personally apologised.”

It comes after Willis on Wednesday asked for an apology from Labour leader Chris Hipkins, who had suggested she needed medical help.

Finance Minister Nicola Willis out for a run in Washington DC with other Finance Ministers.

During Question Time, Willis at one point emitted a long groan. Hipkins interjected that she “may have been having a few issues” and “may need some medical help”.

Willis took offence at that.

“I would like to assure all members of this House that I’m in great health and I went for an excellent run with the Treasurer of Australia, the British Chancellor in Washington DC recently and I find it offensive and in a long line of politicians in this House making personal aspersions on people.”

Hipkins subsequently withdrew the statement but suggested it had been taken out of context.

“I was referring, of course, to the noise that she made, and nothing else.”

Later, Willis approached Hipkins in front of journalists and asked if he would like to apologise.

Hipkins: “I’m happy to if you were genuinely offended by what I said. I was referring to the noise that you were making and nothing else.

Willis: “I think you know exactly what you were meaning.”

She later told the Herald: “Chris Hipkins has now contacted me personally to offer a full apology. I’ve accepted his apology and am happy to move on. I have better things to focus on.

“As I said in Parliament, I’m in great health and fighting fit for an election year.”