National leader Todd Muller says his "Make America Great Again" hat is staying in its box in his new office, and he won't be unpacking it.
The hat with the Donald Trump slogan was a piece of US political memorabilia picked up when he observed the 2016 US presidential campaign.
It was on display in his previous office and came to light in several interviews after he became National leader on Friday and it created a social media storm with claims it represented racial oppression.
He told media on Saturday he would be displaying it in his new Leader of the Opposition office in Parliament but he has backed down from that pledge.
Muller acknowledged that the hat had "a different perspective."
"I respect that," he told reporters at Parliament today.
"I packed it up in a box when I left the office round there," he said pointing in the direction of his old office "and it will stay in the box."
Deputy Nikki Kaye chipped in and said it had been replaced with a National Party cap.
Muller said part of his job was to "check and adjust as necessary."
"You understand the context that that hat was for me – part of memorabilia when I went to two conventions. Clearly for other people it has a greater personal meaning. I respect that and I'm not focused on hats.
"I'm focused with my team on building an economic recovery for New Zealand and it was becoming an economic distraction. It got packed away when I moved and I said 'keep it in the box.'"
