Prime Minister Christopher Luxon remains the National Party leader after the party\u2019s caucus voted in support of him following Luxon raising a formal motion of confidence during a three-hour caucus meeting. <\/p>\n
Luxon, reading out a short statement to journalists at Parliament and leaving without taking questions, declared speculation about his leadership was \u201cnow closed\u201d and refused to engage in what he described as a \u201cmedia soap opera\u201d. <\/p>\n
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. <\/p>\n
It follows a flurry of activity at Parliament this morning which included senior whip Stuart Smith not attending caucus claiming a \u201clongstanding personal appointment\u201d and Luxon avoiding media ahead of the caucus meeting, which he usually does before the 10am Tuesday meetings. <\/p>\n
AdvertisementAdvertise with NZME.<\/a><\/p>\n The intense speculation on Luxon\u2019s 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\u2019t respond to until today when he denied it.<\/p>\n Luxon had promised today\u2019s meeting would include a message to the caucus about the need for unity and discipline amid leaks to the media. <\/p>\n 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\u2019s meeting, indicating a vote could be taking place. <\/p>\n Luxon then emerged alongside National\u2019s deputy leader Nicola Willis in Parliament\u2019s Banquet Hall to read a short statement, adding he wouldn\u2019t be taking questions. <\/p>\n \u201cFor 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,\u201d Luxon said.<\/p>\n \u201cTo 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. <\/p>\n \u201cCaucus has answered clearly and decisively, it has backed my leadership.\u201d <\/p>\n Luxon said he viewed the matter \u201cnow closed\u201d and wouldn\u2019t comment further on it. <\/p>\n AdvertisementAdvertise with NZME.<\/a><\/p>\n He also referenced the democratic value of the \u201cfree press\u201d before criticising speculation about his leadership.<\/p>\n \u201cYou give citizens the chance know the truth about their countries and their Governments and hold leaders like me accountable and I welcome that,\u201d he said to journalists. <\/p>\n \u201cBut if the media want to keep focusing on speculation and rumour I am not going to engage. <\/p>\n \u201cKiwis 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. <\/p>\n \u201cThey are not interested in this media soap opera. Everyday Kiwis will not be losing sleep over political side shows here in Wellington.\u201d<\/p>\n Upon ending the statement, Luxon and Willis walked away without answering any questions being asked by multiple journalists. <\/p>\n AdvertisementAdvertise with NZME.<\/a><\/p>\n Senior MP Paul Goldsmith responded, \u201cAbsolutely\u201d, when asked if Luxon remained National\u2019s leader but would not elaborate. <\/p>\n Newly promoted National Cabinet minister Chris Penk said he was unaware of the margin of caucus\u2019 vote but said he wouldn\u2019t say if he did. <\/p>\n He said it was good for caucus to have a discussion and said it provided \u201cclarity\u201d. <\/p>\n Senior MP Mark Mitchell confirmed he had voted in favour of Luxon but didn\u2019t say anything further. <\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ve got nothing more to add on top of what the Prime Minister said other than the fact that obviously you\u2019re aware that he\u2019s got the full confidence of the caucus.\u201d<\/p>\n Luxon\u2019s 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\u2019s inquiry. <\/p>\n AdvertisementAdvertise with NZME.<\/a><\/p>\n Smith, who hadn\u2019t responded to the Herald\u2019s report when it was published, today issued a statement via Luxon\u2019s office which said: \u201cI did want to confirm that I did not contact the Prime Minister or his office seeking a meeting.<\/p>\n \u201cI am disappointed by recent speculative media coverage. The Prime Minister has my full support.\u201d<\/p>\n Smith\u2019s statement also confirmed he wouldn\u2019t be attending today\u2019s caucus meeting, claiming his absence was due to a \u201clongstanding personal appointment\u201d. <\/p>\n Smith, the MP for Kaikoura, was yesterday reported by The Post citing bad weather as the reason he hadn\u2019t travelled to Wellington yesterday. He also wouldn\u2019t comment on the substance of the Herald\u2019s Friday story. <\/p>\n Party president Sylvia Wood would not answer questions at Parliament this morning. National\u2019s junior whip Suze Redmayne also rushed past reporters, refusing to respond to questions ahead of today\u2019s meeting except to say Smith was on \u201cpersonal leave\u201d. <\/p>\n Before the meeting, senior National minister and the party\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n AdvertisementAdvertise with NZME.<\/a><\/p>\n \u201cCaucus members who wish to talk to media should consider whether they should quit the leaking or quit the party.\u201d<\/p>\n He said he had not spoken to Stuart Smith.<\/p>\n \u201cWe as a caucus have a responsibility to those who elected us … to deliver on what they have put us here to do.\u201d<\/p>\n Senior MP Todd McClay described Smith as a \u201cgreat whip\u201d but said Smith continuing in the role was a matter for caucus and he wouldn\u2019t comment further. <\/p>\n Asked about Brown\u2019s encouragement of leakers to quit the party, McClay said: \u201cWell, I think we\u2019ll have an opportunity to have that out in caucus and that\u2019s the most appropriate place to have any discussion about the workings of the National Party.\u201d<\/p>\n He expected a \u201cfrank and open\u201d conversation in caucus, adding he expected Luxon to remain the party\u2019s leader.<\/p>\n AdvertisementAdvertise with NZME.<\/a><\/p>\n Asked on Newstalk ZB on Monday about the Herald\u2019s Friday article, Luxon said he had read it and admitted \u201cthere\u2019ll be a handful of people who\u2019d understandably be disgruntled\u201d.<\/p>\n He said there were five \u201cthat are moaning and frustrated\u201d.<\/p>\n \u201cOf people that I could think that could possibly be talking to media about their frustrations, that\u2019s all I\u2019m saying,\u201d Luxon said.<\/p>\n Later on Monday, Luxon walked those comments back slightly.<\/p>\n Asked who the five MPs were, Luxon maintained that he was simply reacting to media reports.<\/p>\n \u201cMy comment was just in reaction to your media reporting quoting a number of sources that you said you had, that\u2019s as much as it is,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n AdvertisementAdvertise with NZME.<\/a><\/p>\n \u201cThere\u2019s nothing in the number per se.\u201d<\/p>\n He reiterated he had the \u201cfull support\u201d of his caucus. <\/p>\n Luxon said he hadn\u2019t yet spoken with Smith since last week\u2019s reporting, arguing Smith would have raised it with him if it was pressing. <\/p>\n He appeared to acknowledge the existence of a letter from Smith, saying he was \u201cnot aware of the letter\u201d. <\/p>\n However, Luxon later indicated he had mistakenly heard a letter being referenced in a reporter\u2019s question. <\/p>\n While Luxon said he wouldn\u2019t discuss caucus matters, he confirmed a conversation would be had during the meeting about recent media speculation and the need to remain unified. <\/p>\n