A New Zealand opposition MP has slammed a One Nation senator as a "village idiot" following his call for Australia to slap economic sanctions on its Kiwi cousins over a UN resolution on Israel.
The UN Security Council last month passed a New Zealand-co-sponsored resolution condemning Israeli settlements as having no legal validity.
One Nation senator Malcolm Roberts is outraged by the development and this week called for Australia to review immigration arrangements for Kiwis.
"At the very least we should look at further cutting benefits for New Zealanders living in Australia," Senator Roberts said in a statement.
"Perhaps a tougher immigration policy aimed towards New Zealand would stop Kiwis from establishing settlements in Australia."
NZ Labour MP Kelvin Davis, who as Labour's Corrections spokesman has campaigned against deportations of New Zealand citizens from Australia, said One Nation Senator Malcolm Roberts was "a bit simple" and his time in politics is "denying a village somewhere in Australia of its idiot".
Mr Davis described Senator Roberts' statement as "totally offensive" and said he had to Google him to work out who the heck he was.
"This guy is a climate change conspiracy theorist, he's a racist ... he's just using this a platform for self promotion," he told AAP. "You've got to call out stupidity wherever it exists."
The resolution, passed on December 23, said Israel's continuing establishment of settlements in Palestinian territory "constitutes a flagrant violation under international law and a major obstacle to the achievement of the two-state solution".
"We shouldn't be surprised at One Nation's low IQ politics ... New Zealand at the UN stood up for what they believe is right. One Nation stands for hate and division and brighter people than Malcolm Roberts have decided the way to peace is not to engage in conflict," Mr Davis told Newstalk ZB.
Israel has recalled its ambassador from New Zealand and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has reportedly told the Kiwi foreign minister he viewed the resolution as a "declaration of war".
The UN move has also led to a diplomatic spat with US President Barack Obama, after America abstained from the vote instead of using its veto power.
Foreign Minister Julie Bishop has indicated that had Australia been able to vote on the resolution, it would probably have opposed it.
