He also fielded questions this morning on his new Deputy PM, the “run-it straight” events and Judith Collins’ trip to Singapore.
He told Newstalk ZB’s Mike Hosking that in the past 10 months, 63 Kāinga Ora tenancies had been terminated because of abusive, threatening, or persistently disruptive behaviour and there had been 1500 warnings issued.
“You get a right to a state house… but you don’t go and abuse your neighbours, that’s unacceptable and we will give it to one of the 19,000 people on the waitlist.”
Luxon said he was being “very explicit” with the tenants and said they must change their behaviour or risk ending up on the street.
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon is backing the rise in warnings amid the state housing crackdown. Photo / Mark Mitchell
“Now people understand the deal, it’s a privilege to be in a state house.
“We will kick people out because the deal has to be pretty simple… rights and responsibilities.”
Luxon also revealed Police Minister Mark Mitchell would be doing a “quick thing” on trying to tackle the “run it straight” events.
He said Mitchell would be seeking advice, but there was not much he could do.
“First and foremost, these are tragic events... but adults need to take responsibility for this.”
He said Mitchell would be doing a “quick thing” on it but the “government can’t really sign legislation to stop things happening at a 21st”.
On Defence Minister Judith Collins’ trip to Singapore and her speaking on the American’s “Golden Dome”, which she called “justified”, he said he was happy with the current cash injection into the defence budget and Collins’ overseas counterparts were too.
“We want to keep stepping it up, but in our conversations with the Americans, they were really happy with our step up… as were the Australians.”
Defence Minister Judith Collins said New Zealand's defence budget was praised. Photo / Mark Mitchell.
Collins toldHeraldNOW’sRyan Bridge that many people approached her during the event claiming we inspired them with the doubling of our defence budget.
“People said ‘well when New Zealand doubles its defence budget, it’s a sign we need to as well’.”
Collins argued that this would not necessarily lead to an “arms race” and it would not be smart to ignore the unrest happening across the world.
“It’s like when people put an alarm on their house, people don’t say they are attracting burglars, it’s the opposite.”
Luxon spoke briefly on his new Deputy, he saw “bits of Seymour’s speech” and thought it was “quite good”.
“We need to celebrate success, we need to allow people to get on with stuff.”
The new Deputy PM kicked off his stint with a speech in Auckland, where he chronicled Act’s rise from a single MP to 11 – and attacked his political opponents, calling his party Labour’s “worst nightmare”.
Seymour takes over from NZ First leader Winston Peters, with the role of Luxon’s deputy being split between the two minor coalition parties.
David Seymour addresses the media after his swearing in ceremony as Deputy Prime Minister. Photo / Dean Purcell
“I’m not going anywhere but ahead ... nearly every single press release from Labour, every fundraising email, every talking point, is about how dangerous David Seymour is,” Seymour said.
“To Labour, yes, I am dangerous, but only to you and your batty outriders.”
