Tim Groser

Wellington, June 4 NZPA - Trade Minister Tim Groser has been reprimanded by the prime minister's office for drinking and rowdy behaviour on an international flight.

A spokesman for Prime Minister John Key confirmed tonight that a complaint about Mr Groser's behaviour on a recent flight from Dubai was received from a member of the public.

It was dealt with by Mr Key's chief of staff, Wayne Eagleson.

"The minister acknowledged that there had been some drinking on the flight but he felt his behaviour was appropriate," Mr Key's spokesman told NZPA.

"We still gave him the message."

The message was that Mr Key expected a high standard of behaviour from his ministers.

"I think that when the prime minister's chief of staff gives a minister a call about a complaint that has been received, then it is taken seriously," the spokesman said.

The complaint was received from someone who was not on the flight but knew people who had been on it.

Mr Groser, whose previous diplomatic career included being New Zealand ambassador to the World Trade Organisation, was travelling in Asia tonight and could not be contacted.