Prime Minister Christopher Luxon remains the National Party leader after the party’s caucus voted in support of him following Luxon raising a formal motion of confidence during a three-hour caucus meeting.
Luxon, reading out a short statement to journalists at Parliament and leaving without taking questions, declared speculation about his leadership was “now closed” and refused to engage in what he described as a “media soap opera”.
MPs exiting the caucus meeting confirmed Luxon had been retained as leader but did not give any other details regarding the vote, citing caucus confidentiality.
It follows a flurry of activity at Parliament this morning which included senior whip Stuart Smith not attending caucus claiming a “longstanding personal appointment” and Luxon avoiding media ahead of the caucus meeting, which he usually does before the 10am Tuesday meetings.
The intense speculation on Luxon’s leadership has lasted weeks and been informed by poor polling and a Herald article on Friday reporting multiple National sources saying Smith had tried and failed to contact Luxon about wavering caucus support - a report Smith wouldn’t respond to until today when he denied it.
Luxon had promised today’s meeting would include a message to the caucus about the need for unity and discipline amid leaks to the media.
Journalists waiting for the meeting to end were given precious few updates. Speaker of the House and senior National MP Gerry Brownlee was seen making a rare appearance in today’s meeting, indicating a vote could be taking place.
Luxon then emerged alongside National’s deputy leader Nicola Willis in Parliament’s Banquet Hall to read a short statement, adding he wouldn’t be taking questions.
“For the last week there has been intense media speculation about my leadership and about who said what to whom. Today our caucus had a good, honest discussion,” Luxon said.
“To put that media speculation to rest, I moved a formal motion of confidence in my leadership, that motion was passed confirming what I have been saying. I have the support of my caucus as their leader.
“Caucus has answered clearly and decisively, it has backed my leadership.”
Luxon said he viewed the matter “now closed” and wouldn’t comment further on it.
He also referenced the democratic value of the “free press” before criticising speculation about his leadership.
“You give citizens the chance know the truth about their countries and their Governments and hold leaders like me accountable and I welcome that,” he said to journalists.
“But if the media want to keep focusing on speculation and rumour I am not going to engage.
“Kiwis expect the media to ask us the tough questions about our policies, to hold us to account for our pledges to New Zealanders and to interrogate us about the things that matter to them.
“They are not interested in this media soap opera. Everyday Kiwis will not be losing sleep over political side shows here in Wellington.”
Upon ending the statement, Luxon and Willis walked away without answering any questions being asked by multiple journalists.
Senior MP Paul Goldsmith responded, “Absolutely”, when asked if Luxon remained National’s leader but would not elaborate.
Newly promoted National Cabinet minister Chris Penk said he was unaware of the margin of caucus’ vote but said he wouldn’t say if he did.
He said it was good for caucus to have a discussion and said it provided “clarity”.
Senior MP Mark Mitchell confirmed he had voted in favour of Luxon but didn’t say anything further.
“I’ve got nothing more to add on top of what the Prime Minister said other than the fact that obviously you’re aware that he’s got the full confidence of the caucus.”
Luxon’s comments about media speculation partially refer to a story published in the Herald on Friday which claimed Smith as whip had been effectively ghosted by Luxon given the nature of Smith’s inquiry.
Smith, who hadn’t responded to the Herald’s report when it was published, today issued a statement via Luxon’s office which said: “I did want to confirm that I did not contact the Prime Minister or his office seeking a meeting.
“I am disappointed by recent speculative media coverage. The Prime Minister has my full support.”
Smith’s statement also confirmed he wouldn’t be attending today’s caucus meeting, claiming his absence was due to a “longstanding personal appointment”.
Smith, the MP for Kaikoura, was yesterday reported by The Post citing bad weather as the reason he hadn’t travelled to Wellington yesterday. He also wouldn’t comment on the substance of the Herald’s Friday story.
Party president Sylvia Wood would not answer questions at Parliament this morning. National’s junior whip Suze Redmayne also rushed past reporters, refusing to respond to questions ahead of today’s meeting except to say Smith was on “personal leave”.
Before the meeting, senior National minister and the party’s new campaign chair Simeon Brown refused to give a direct answer when asked if he had forced a statement this morning from Smith denying media reports he had tried to contact Luxon over waning support.
“Caucus members who wish to talk to media should consider whether they should quit the leaking or quit the party.”
He said he had not spoken to Stuart Smith.
“We as a caucus have a responsibility to those who elected us ... to deliver on what they have put us here to do.”
Senior MP Todd McClay described Smith as a “great whip” but said Smith continuing in the role was a matter for caucus and he wouldn’t comment further.
Asked about Brown’s encouragement of leakers to quit the party, McClay said: “Well, I think we’ll have an opportunity to have that out in caucus and that’s the most appropriate place to have any discussion about the workings of the National Party.”
He expected a “frank and open” conversation in caucus, adding he expected Luxon to remain the party’s leader.
Asked on Newstalk ZB on Monday about the Herald’s Friday article, Luxon said he had read it and admitted “there’ll be a handful of people who’d understandably be disgruntled”.
He said there were five “that are moaning and frustrated”.
“Of people that I could think that could possibly be talking to media about their frustrations, that’s all I’m saying,” Luxon said.
Later on Monday, Luxon walked those comments back slightly.
Asked who the five MPs were, Luxon maintained that he was simply reacting to media reports.
“My comment was just in reaction to your media reporting quoting a number of sources that you said you had, that’s as much as it is,” he said.
“There’s nothing in the number per se.”
He reiterated he had the “full support” of his caucus.
Luxon said he hadn’t yet spoken with Smith since last week’s reporting, arguing Smith would have raised it with him if it was pressing.
He appeared to acknowledge the existence of a letter from Smith, saying he was “not aware of the letter”.
However, Luxon later indicated he had mistakenly heard a letter being referenced in a reporter’s question.
While Luxon said he wouldn’t discuss caucus matters, he confirmed a conversation would be had during the meeting about recent media speculation and the need to remain unified.
He continued to bat away questions concerning his level of popularity in public polls.
“I appreciate I’m not going to be the person that everyone wants to go to a beer with but they know that I’m actually leading a Government that’s a great custodian of this economy.”