PM Christopher Luxon continues to play down the importance of last week’s poll, saying it was just one of many, and that only one poll really matters to him.
“Every day I’m talking to Kiwis and the key thing is thei poll – and they tell me they’re frustrated with the cost of living and frustrated with the speed of the economic recovery, and that’s what they want us to do.”
Luxon faced questions at the post-Cabinet press conference which also covered the effect of the war in Iran on New Zealand’s economy.
Finance minister Nicola Willis says the National Party does want to be polling higher, because they want New Zealand to “have the government it deserves”.
Pressure is mounting on the Christopher Luxon with a poll result last week putting National in the 20s.
Listen to the PM’s appearance on Morning Report here:
Luxon batted away questions last week about stepping down as party leader following the latest Taxpayers’ Union Curia poll that had National on 28.4 – down nearly 3 points from its poll last month.
Luxon said on Friday evening none of his Cabinet colleagues had told him to reconsider his future, saying “all of them” back him.
He said he was “absolutely not” considering standing down and said he had the skills to lead the National Party and the country.
Luxon also made a personal explanation in the House on Tuesday night, after he stated incorrectly the government was automatically extending visas for people in New Zealand affected by the war in Iran.
Follow how the day unfolded with RNZ’s live blog.
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