New Zealand Prime Minister Chris Luxon has barred a right-wing candidate from roles in government after a sexist slur emerged in the final days of the election campaign.
More than one million Kiwis have already cast ballots in the close contest, which concludes on November 7.
A million more are expected to tune in on Thursday night to the final debate of the campaign on TVNZ.
Mr Luxon is looking for a second term for his right-leaning coalition of his National party, supported by ACT and NZ First.
Tensions between coalition partners have been a rolling feature of his first term, and another emerged in the final hours of this year's campaign.
Michael Laws, a broadcaster and former National MP turned NZ First candidate, made a series of misogynistic comments aimed at a rival candidate from the woman-dominated teal Opportunity party.
While behind the microphone of a fringe right-wing online talk show, he made comments about the candidates attire, make-up and demeanour.
"Must be hell dating people like that, just quietly. Can you imagine what it’s like post-sex?" he said.
"Did I say that out loud? Yes, I did."
The comments drew swift condemnation from several other parties, and led to Opportunity leader Qiulae Wong ruling out partnering with NZ First without a fulsome apology.
Mr Laws instead offered a conditional apology, saying his comments were "intended to be mischievously humorous", he'd been told off by party leader Winston Peters, and "if people are offended, I apologise".
Mr Luxon called them "stupid" and ruled him out of Mr Laws' stated goal in standing, to become broadcasting minister.
Deputy leader Nicola Willis said they were "disgusting and nasty" and Mr Laws should "go back to Noah and the ark".
Labour leader Chris Hipkins agreed it made Mr Laws unelectable, and was a black mark on the party.
"This is what New Zealand First actually believes, this is the culture," he said.
The comments are just the latest NZ First indiscretion to draw sharp criticism.
In July, Mr Peters - also the foreign minister - was scolded for a parliamentary attack on a China-born Greens MP, telling him to "go back to your own country ... where they lie like a flatfish".
In April, deputy leader Shane Jones labelled migration intake as part of the India free trade deal as a "butter chicken tsunami".
On both occasions, Mr Luxon criticised but failed to sack those ministers, given the possibility of NZ First withdrawing its support from the government.
Mr Jones will share a stage with Qiulae Wong on Thursday night at the TVNZ debate, which will be a crucial moment in shaping the last days of the race.
Seven parties will be represented as parties make their final pitch, with both National and Labour, and the left and right bloc, barely separated in polling.
A pair of polls released on Wednesday shows Opportunity clearing the five per cent threshold to enter parliament, where they would most likely hold the balance of power.
