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National Taieri candidate Liam Kernaghan and Waitaki MP Jacqui Dean are among several National party figures to have posted material online which is claimed to quote Labour leader Jacinda Ardern out of context.
During Tuesday night’s debate between Ms Ardern and National leader Judith Collins, in an exchange about farming practice, Ms Collins referred to claims farmer’s undertook "dirty dairying".
Ms Ardern replied “If I may, that feels to me like a view of the world that has passed," a quote which seems to refer to negative perceptions of farming.
However, National politicians have posted a range of comments online criticising Ms Ardern for insulting farmers.
"The Labour leader saying the views that our farmers have are based on a ‘world that has passed’ is incredibly offensive and remarkably unaware," Mr Kernaghan posted on Facebook.
"And an insult to the people who got up at 5am every morning over Level 4 lockdown to milk the cows and keep our economy ticking."
Waitaki MP Jacqui Dean reposted a National party Facebook post which said "Judith Collins backs our farmers. Jacinda Ardern thinks that’s the view of a ‘world that has passed’.”
"I hope the Prime Minister travels down to the Waitaki electorate soon to meet with some of our hard-working farmers," Mrs Dean posted.
Senior MPs Matt King (Northland) and Chris Bishop (Hutt South) also posted regarding Ms Ardern’s comments.
Mr Kernaghan could not be contacted, but Mrs Dean stood by her comments.
"I watched the debate, and the Prime Minister in my view made a dismissive reference to farming and particularly to dairy farming.
Yesterday, Ms Ardern said "farming was a world of the past" was "absolutely not what I said".