[12] As housing spokesperson in July 2015, Twyford was criticised for alleged racism when he produced statistics claiming that Chinese foreign buyers were disproportionately buying up real estate in Auckland.

[16] In November 2017, Twyford defended his government's proposed Overseas Investment Amendment Act to ban foreign buyers from buying residential property in order to ease the country's housing shortage.

Though Ngaro subsequently deleted his post, Twyford captured a screenshot and accused his opponent of spreading fake news.

[27] In a cabinet reshuffle by new Prime Minister Chris Hipkins on 31 January 2023, Twyford lost all his remaining ministerial portfolios.

[28] On 10 February 2023, Twyford was granted retention of the title "The Honourable" for life, in recognition of his term as a member of the Executive Council.

[29] During the 2023 New Zealand general election, Twyford retained the Te Atatū by a narrow margin of 131 votes over the National Party candidate Angee Nicholas.

[33] In early November 2023, Twyford condemned violence by both Hamas and the Israeli Defense Force during the 2023 Israel-Hamas war at a Palestine solidarity rally in Auckland.

He has also expressed support for a two-state solution, saying "I want to see the creation of a Palestinian state that will allow both Israel and Palestine to live in peace.

"[34] Green Party MP Chlöe Swarbrick also spoke at the same rally and expressed support for the Palestinians, chanting "From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free.