New Zealand First MP Shane Jones is defending his leader from claims he was asleep on the job.

Some New Zealand commentators have criticized Foreign Minister Winston Peters for photos showing him with his eyes closed during an emergency meeting of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation called to discuss the Christchurch terror attack.

Mr Jones says it’s a serious time for the country, and there’s no place for the sort of sniping and trivialization going on, even if it’s done in a spirit of journalistic humour.

He accepts Mr Peters’ explanation he was in deep contemplation.

"For those of us who have spent a lot of time on the marae, you will notice often people will sit there and they are thinking or they might be trying not only to process what has been said but to ensure when it is their time to speak, they feel comfortable with what they are about to deliver, or are they actually absorbing what’s being delivered," Mr Jones says.

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