David Farrar: Luxon rules out TOP

The Post reports:

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has ruled out working with Opportunity after the election.

Opportunity has polled within a percentage point of the 5% threshold in three different public polls in recent weeks. If the party made it into Parliament on current polling its support would be needed for either the coalition or the Opposition parties to govern.

Pee Kay: National… the Enemy Within? (Part Three)

PART THREE: The Luxon Years, The Future, the Battle for New Zealand’s Democracy

On reflection, what made us think Christopher Luxon would be any different from the long line of previous National Prime Ministers who simply failed to hold our democracy dear?

The answer is simple, desperation.

Following six horrific years of the Ardern/Hipkins Labour governments, we were desperate for change. When Luxon looked us in the eye and stated, “We are one country, we deliver our public services to people on the basis of need, not ethnicity,” and “We are all equal under the law,” we believed him!

JC: A Lesson Luxon Has To Learn

Christopher Luxon is not your consummate politician. Not by a long shot. And politics is nothing like running a business. The National Party, or indeed the coalition, is not Unilever. The MPs representing ACT and NZ First are not Luxon’s staff. They are more like suppliers adding products (ideas) to help sustain his business (government) and keep it profitable (in power). Unlike business, which vies with competitors for market share, in politics it can be an accommodation with competitors (ACT and NZ First) that attains and keeps the market share (percentage of votes). Luxon has failed to discern the difference.

Cam Slater: Luxon Chases Nigerian Princes While Kiwis Struggle at Home

National leader Christopher Luxon has rolled out yet another grand trade policy announcement, promising to prioritise free trade deals with seven countries if re-elected. Brazil, Switzerland, Argentina, Bangladesh, Nigeria, Uruguay and the European Free Trade Association are all in his sights, with a second wave to follow.

This is the same mob that keeps telling us they are delivering for Kiwis. Yet here they are, campaigning on trade deals with places many average New Zealanders could not point to on a map. Luxon and his Trade Spokesperson Todd McClay stood at the Port of Auckland to spruik the plan, talking up the next billion customers and untapped opportunities worth billions.

Damien Grant: If Chris Luxon is proud of our nuclear-free position.....

If Chris Luxon is proud of our nuclear-free position he should not be leading a centre-right political party

During a cold evening in late January 1940 the First Lord of the Admiralty, one Winston Leonard Spencer Churchill, gave a speech on the dire situation on the continent. Chamberlain was still Prime Minister but the MP for Epping gave a sombre assessment on neutral powers seeking refuge in anonymity.

Geoff Parker: Luxon's Silence On The Treaty Debate Is Becoming Deafening

I have been talking to iwi leaders ... for the past 12 months.

— Christopher Luxon, April 2025

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon's latest meeting with iwi leaders raises an important question: who exactly is he governing for?

No reasonable New Zealander would object to the Prime Minister meeting Māori leaders. In a democratic country, governments should engage with all sectors of society. Farmers, business owners, unions, community groups, churches, environmental organisations and iwi all have a right to be heard.

The problem is not that Luxon met with iwi leaders.

Perspective with Andrew Dickens: I think Luxon got the climate change balance right

The biggest story of the week hit on Wednesday. And no, the biggest story of the week wasn’t fare caps on public transport. I mean, that was - they say - a $65 million policy that I reckon is three times that, but it wasn’t the big one.

It wasn’t whether or not Labour had a tent at Fieldays either. I mean, hello - come on.

David Harvey: A Nuclear Conversation

A conversation the Prime Minister would rather not have

There must be something in the air in the Prime Minister’s suite of the Beehive — a virus of omnipotence and omniscience that seems to infect whoever occupies the office. Jacinda Ardern demonstrated it in spades, with her authoritarian kindness and her government’s self-appointment as the nation’s single source of truth. Christopher Luxon now ventures forth in the same spirit, shutting down any debate on the nuclear question before it can begin.

What he does not appear to understand is that the nuclear issue reaches well beyond the Bomb. Nor does he seem aware of the actual limits of New Zealand’s “anti-nuclear” legislation, which does not prohibit the peaceful use of nuclear energy at all. But the more troubling thing is the arrogance of trying to close a conversation down.

Bob Edlin: ZB apology and musings about Mike....

ZB apology and musings about Mike – could he be jailed for protecting sources he does not have?

The Post reported a few days ago:

Newstalk ZB has apologised to a National MP accused on live radio of leaking to the media against Prime Minister Christopher Luxon.

Bob Edlin: The name that shall not be spoken in Parliament....

The name that shall not be spoken in Parliament – you can find it in the third paragraph below

By the time MPs had taken their seats in the House of Representatives on Wednesday, The Post had named the official who (the newspaper contended) had received briefing notes from Z Energy and Fonterra which, curiously, have disappeared.

Bob Edlin: The PM (after initial stalling) declares his confidence that FTA obligations are being met

Lawyers for Climate Action were among those who kicked up a fuss when the Government announced it would pass a law preventing companies from being sued over climate change damage.

Now they have come up with another niggle. Newsroom reported yesterday that – according to a new legal opinion – two of the Government’s key energy policies are fossil fuel subsidies which breach New Zealand’s international trade obligations.

Peter Dunne: Singapore's “food for fuel” deal

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon describes the "food for fuel" deal he has just concluded with Singapore as "world leading". While that language may sound unnecessarily Trumpist, the arrangement is certainly a positive one to be celebrated.

Bruce Cotterill: Christopher Luxon leadership - Why the ‘Flakey Five’ coup fizzled fast

We could learn a lot from the animal kingdom.

I remember a university discussion about leadership which referred to the behaviours of buffalo when moving as a pack.

When the herd is on the move the strongest bulls run at the front and on the flanks, forming a protective shield to safeguard the herd. Other strong bulls watch over the stragglers at the back and make sure that none are left behind. The goal is always in the best interests of the herd.

JC: Luxon Has to Turn the Ship Around

Christopher Luxon survived a caucus vote he himself initiated. The obvious aim was an attempt to put the matter to bed/rest. I doubt that has happened. Put plainly, the matter is on bed rest. Peters thinks that it was a bad idea and National is looking increasingly like a party that has lost its way. It has certainly lost the support of a significant percentage of its voter base.

Ryan Bridge: Winston was always going to turn on Luxon

This was always going to happen - the closer you get to the election, the more your friends become your enemies under MMP.

Winston's office released OIA docs showing Luxon's people wanted to go further in supporting Trump's war in Iran.

David Farrar: The PM getting some mongrel

I’ve been impressed with what I would call the PM getting some mongrel in the last few weeks, as his leadership came under attack. Let’s look at what he did.

Peter Williams: Luxon lacks courage

Backing out of interviews is poor form

Any politician who refuses to front on a particular media outlet essentially because he or she is afraid of being made to look foolish is, frankly, a coward and not competent to be in a position of responsibility.

It’s into that category that we must now place the current Prime Minister. We know that Jacinda Ardern was already a certified member.

Guest Post: The Numbers do not Lie

A guest post from Owen Jennings on Kiwiblog:

Everyone seems to have an opinion on Christopher Luxon’s future. Why not? He is Prime Minster, after all. He has to be open to scrutiny.

But, is what we are encountering the normal, hurly burly of politics and strong media coverage? Or is there some other force at play? Some homework, using Artificial Intelligence, suggests there is and it’s something that should concern every New Zealand voter.

Perspective with Heather du Plessis-Allan: 'You can’t hate what Jacinda did and then love what Chris Luxon has done'

Good on Chris Luxon for ditching his regular spot on Breakfast. That’s from Tina.

I disagree with Tina. I don’t think Chris Luxon should have given up on Breakfast the way he has, pulling out of his weekly slot. I mean, obviously it’s his prerogative to do it.

Lindsay Mitchell: Luxon isn't talking to me

Speaking after his cabinet meeting yesterday, affirming his continuing leadership of the National Party, Prime Minister Chris Luxon said:

"Everyday Kiwis will not be losing sleep over political sideshows in Wellington – they’ll be thinking about their mortgage, their kids’ education and the safety and security of their community."

It suddenly hit me.

He's not talking to me.