National Party opposition leader Ms Collins made the comments when talking to the media in Auckland during the last days of New Zealand's election campaign.

Her party is tipped to lose in a landside against the Labour party led by current Prime Minister Jacinda Arden, and when asked how her campaign was faring Ms Collins let rip against Tasmania in an out-of-context tirade.

"We don't want to be the poor cousin of the rest of Australia as such," she said.

"Every day has been another day to get out and share a vision for New Zealand that's not another Tasmanian one; it's been about us being a wonderfully exciting place to be."

Mr Gutwein said Ms Collins obviously has a case of island envy.

"And why wouldn't she? We've got what the rest of the world wants, and when it's safe to travel again, she should find out for herself and come and visit one of the hottest spots on the planet."

The outspoken candidate Ms Collins went on further to say that she had visited Tasmania but it reminded her of "Waikato before we had wonderful things".

"I think it's a lovely part of the world but do you necessarily want to go there with your high tech business? Possibly not," she said.

Tourism Industry Council of Tasmania chief executive Luke Martin laughed off Ms Collins' comments and said she was "desperate".

"We shouldn't take her comments too seriously," Mr Martin said.

"I'm sure Judith whatshername will have plenty of time to come back and visit Tasmania on one of our direct flights after she loses the election."

Mr Martin said it was very unlikely that the comments would sway New Zealanders' decisions about holidaying in Tasmania.

"We are used to this kind of stuff, people trying to diminish Tasmania. What we find is that when people do choose to come her and travel, most of them understand that Tassie is a pretty special place," he said.

"I think most kiwis would be pretty embarrassed by those comments."