Category: Politics

Source: Radio New Zealand

Analysis: When stuck in a bind, Christopher Luxon can always rely on talking about law and order.

It’s one of the few things National continues to outpoll Labour on in the Ipsos Issues Monitor, and something he took with him to the Pacific.

Luxon has weathered the storm of some bad polls, and the Pacific is always a perfect location to get away from the grind of Wellington and leave the sticky issues to his ministers.

Though this trip almost got derailed before it had even began, he will be returning from Samoa and Tonga satisfied that the New Zealand government is doing its bit to help its Pacific neighbours with transnational crime and the fight against drug trafficking.

But questions over what specific support New Zealand can offer on fuel resilience remain, as does the pain point on visa access.

Those calling for New Zealand to allow its Pacific family to have the same rights as people from 60 other countries, and be granted visa waivers at the border, would have felt Luxon’s trip was a perfect opportunity for him to announce a liberalising of immigration laws.

Instead, just ahead of the trip, the government announced a trial of cheaper visas, which Luxon pointed to as New Zealand doing its bit.

The gesture was certainly appreciated by Tonga’s prime minister, Lord Fakafanua, but Samoa’s more bellicose prime minister La’aulialemalietoa Leuatea Polataivao Fosi Schmidt will continue to make the call for New Zealand to go further.

On the eve of the trip, La’aulialemalietoa caused a minor diplomatic incident, which threatened to overshadow Luxon’s entire time in Samoa.

The ‘did-he-didn’t-he-no-he-didn’t-stop-asking-about-it’ over Luxon’s matai title Tuisinavemaulumoto’otua is likely to be the subject of ongoing discussion in Samoa even as he leaves Apia behind, as will whether New Zealand should be doing more in compensation for the sinking of the HMNZS Manawanui. On that point, Luxon was clear that the compensation was full and final, but is open to further discussions on the wreck’s future.

There is no doubt Luxon was annoyed by the entire matai title episode, though he would never admit it. He was keen to brush the incident off, and instead talk about where he and La’aulialemalietoa were aligned.

Luxon will take home a feeling that he dodged a bullet somewhat, escaping what was on the verge of turning from a minor diplomatic headache into a full-blown squabble.

It did not help that every time New Zealand made it clear he did not ask for his matai, La’aulialemalietoa would dig in deeper, telling an gala dinner audience in front of Luxon (but speaking in

Samoan so Luxon would not immediately hear) that it took phone calls in the wee small hours of Monday morning to smooth things over.

His rapport with Lord Fakafanua was certainly calmer, with Luxon speaking fondly of the time he had lunch with the prime minister nearly two years ago, when he was still the Speaker of the Legislative Assembly.

While it is normal for leaders to recall previous meetings, the warmth and specificity of Luxon’s memories of the occasion look like he has found another strong ally in the Pacific, joining the likes of Dalton Tagelagi and Sitiveni Rabuka as leaders he has genuinely enjoyed strong rapport with.

The fuel crisis is of growing concern in the Pacific, and Luxon and his Pacific counterparts have vowed to share whatever information they get with each other.

Both Tonga and Samoa are focused on having enough energy-in country, with Tonga’s prime minister less concerned about the prospect of Air New Zealand cutting back its Pacific connections than he is on ensuring he manages his people’s expectations. For now, Lord Fakafanua is reassuring Tongans that the fuel supply is fine.

Both countries see information-sharing as the main thing they can do for each other, for the moment. Luxon sees the question of whether New Zealand would divert some of its fuel to Samoa or Tonga as a hypothetical, but the longer the conflict goes on, the more New Zealand may have to think about the options. It would be a good gesture to a friend and neighbour, but if New Zealanaders start paying significantly more at the pump, it may be politically unpalatable.

Transnational crime, as well, will rely on New Zealand, Samoa, and Tonga scaling up their information-sharing. Agreements between police and customs, more money for detector dogs, and allowing Samoa and Tonga to subscribe Starboard’s maritime intelligence platform were all welcomed by Luxon’s hosts.

The presence of the police commissioner, chief executive of customs, and the police minister on the trip were all a sign of how seriously New Zealand takes the matter (although Mark Mitchell’s main responsibility appeared to be as morale booster – raising the flag at a school rugby league game as sports minister, and ably attempting to fill time before a long-delayed joint-Cabinet meeting in Apia by talking rugby league and wondering whether the long wait was because the prime ministers had decided to get a head start on the roast pig.)

It will take a lot more to solve the problem, but these are all good starts, and show the Pacific uniting on a response to a Pacific problem. Luxon will be keen to get updates if he does end up attending the Pacific Islands Forum in Palau later this year.

Luxon leaves Samoa and Tonga with a renewed satisfaction the countries are on top of the drug crisis, but also returns with some rather special gifts.

In addition his matai title, a fue, and model fale and school buildings, Luxon was also presented with a portrait, painted by students from a local Methodist church.

It was slightly less flattering than the one they painted of La’aulialemalietoa, but Luxon laughed it off. Exactly where it will be displayed is still to be determined, with Luxon saying it would go “straight to the pool room.”

Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters is known to distribute some of the many gifts he receives amongst his staff, so perhaps one lucky Dignitary Protection Service staffer will have something to take home with them.

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– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand

Source: Radio New Zealand

New Zealand First’s leader Winston Peters says he’s not interested in weighing in on the personal relationship of Labour’s leader Chris Hipkins.

He’s issued a statement, however, clarifying that Mr Hipkins’ ex-wife Jade Paul does not work for his party or have any affiliation or role with it.

“We are not interested in a politician’s current personal relationship issues and won’t be commenting at all on the matter – apart from the fact that there are lies now being spread including that the person involved works for New Zealand First – this is false.

“This person does not work for New Zealand First nor has any affiliation or role with New Zealand First. They worked for a short period of time in an office then left amicably for another role around a year ago.”

It was understood Paul worked as a ministerial advisor for Cabinet minister Casey Costello.

Earlier on Wednesday, Hipkins said he did consider his future in politics after his ex-wife levelled claims at him on social media, but he remains “absolutely committed” to staying on.

Hipkins appeared on a suite of morning media shows – including Morning Report – where he again flatly denied all the claims, but said he would not be litigating them in public for the sake of his children.

The claims are not criminal and relate to a lack of support for his ex-wife Jade Paul during and after their relationship.

Speaking on Morning Report, Hipkins acknowledged he had considered stepping down, noting the impact on his family.

“It would be untrue to say that those thoughts hadn’t crossed my mind in the last 48 hours, but everybody in their lives at some point goes through rough patches, and you just have to keep getting out of bed every day.

“I love my job and and I’m absolutely committed to continuing to do it.”

Later on Wednesday outside Parliament, Hipkins told reporters people should not read “too much” into his comments, insisting he was “not going anywhere”.

“I’m passionate about my job, I’m passionate about New Zealand. I’m passionate about many, many things that I care deeply about. But these things have a big impact on the people who I care a lot about.”

On Morning Report, Hipkins said the public debate was “very unfair” on his children, partner and parents – “you do pause and think about that” – but he had received a lot of support over the past day or two.

“Our marriage broke up. That was a traumatic thing. You know, clearly, there are always going to be lots of regrets in a situation like that.

“Many, many people have contacted me in the last 24 hours to indicate that they’ve been through a relationship break-up that has been difficult. I think people will understand that litigating those things through the public is in no one’s best interest.”

Hipkins confirmed he had sought legal advice about the further publication of his ex-wife’s allegations by others, as well as the addition of other “completely unsubstantiated things”.

“The online world is a bit of a sewer pit, and it seems that no one has any hesitation in adding to that,” he said.

“Social media certainly has emboldened a lot of people, and, you know, we have a virtual vigilante approach on social media that anybody in a public profile role now has to contend with. I don’t think that’s been healthy for democracy.”

Paul’s initial post was published on her private Facebook page on Sunday evening, but screenshots were quickly circulated online.

Paul later removed the post, but told RNZ she stood by the comments.

Since then, false rumours have circulated online that Paul works for New Zealand First. In a statement on Facebook on Wednesday, leader Winston Peters said that claim was not true.

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– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand

Source: Radio New Zealand

Labour leader Chris Hipkins says he did consider his future in politics after his ex-wife levelled claims at him on social media, but he remains “absolutely committed” to staying on.

Hipkins appeared on a suite of morning media on Wednesday – including Morning Report – where he again flatly denied all the claims, but said he would not be litigating them in public for the sake of his children.

The claims are not criminal and relate to a lack of support for his ex-wife Jade Paul during and after their relationship.

Speaking on Morning Report, Hipkins acknowledged he had considered stepping down, noting the impact on his family.

“It would be untrue to say that those thoughts hadn’t crossed my mind in the last 48 hours, but everybody in their lives at some point goes through rough patches, and you just have to keep getting out of bed every day.

“I love my job and and I’m absolutely committed to continuing to do it.”

Hipkins said the public debate was “very unfair” on his children, partner and parents – “you do pause and think about that” – but he had received a lot of support over the past day or two.

“Our marriage broke up. That was a traumatic thing. You know, clearly, there are always going to be lots of regrets in a situation like that.

“Many, many people have contacted me in the last 24 hours to indicate that they’ve been through a relationship break-up that has been difficult. I think people will understand that litigating those things through the public is in no one’s best interest.”

Hipkins confirmed he had sought legal advice about the further publication of his ex-wife’s allegations by others, as well as the addition of other “completely unsubstantiated things”.

“The online world is a bit of a sewer pit, and it seems that no one has any hesitation in adding to that,” he said.

“Social media certainly has emboldened a lot of people, and, you know, we have a virtual vigilante approach on social media that anybody in a public profile role now has to contend with. I don’t think that’s been healthy for democracy.”

Paul’s initial post was published on her private Facebook page on Sunday evening, but screenshots were quickly circulated online.

Paul later removed the post, but told RNZ she stood by the comments.

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Source: Radio New Zealand

Labour leader Chris Hipkins says he doesn’t think it is in anyone’s best interests to be arguing over details of his marriage break-up in public.

It comes after he rejected allegations made against him by his ex-wife.

On Wednesday, Hipkins told Morning Report says “all sorts” of additional unsubstantiated claims were now being added from parts of the internet.

He said he has sought legal advice, not about his ex-wife’s posts, but about further allegations being published online that were “absolutely untrue”.

“The online world is a bit of a sewer pit.”

He said he had worked hard to protect his family from the spotlight in politics, especially his children, and wanted them to grow up with a sense of normality.

“Our marriage broke up. That was a traumatic thing. Clearly there are always going to be lots of regrets in a situation like that.”

Hipkins denies the unsubstantiated claims.

The allegations – which do not relate to any unlawful activity – were posted on Jade Paul’s private Facebook page on Sunday evening but have since been removed.

Each of the claims, which relate to accusations of a lack of support during the marriage and after, were put to Hipkins directly on Tuesday. He denied them all in turn.

Hipkins on Tuesday said marriage breakups were very difficult, and there would always be disagreements or “things that you regret” when relationships break up, but “a public forum like this is not the way to litigate those”.

Asked if his children were okay, Hipkins choked up and said: “My kids are.. my kids are with her, so I don’t know.”

Asked if the situation could be damaging for Labour, he said he hoped not, and said standing down wasn’t something he considered.

More to come…

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Source: Radio New Zealand

Chris Hipkins is speaking to Morning Report shortly. You can listen on the player above, your app or your local RNZ frequency.

Labour leader Chris Hipkins is set to face question on Morning Report after rejecting allegations made against him by his ex-wife.

The allegations – which do not relate to any unlawful activity – were posted on Jade Paul’s private Facebook page on Sunday evening but have since been removed.

Each of the claims, which relate to accusations of a lack of support during the marriage and after, were put to Hipkins directly. He denied them all in turn.

Hipkins said marriage breakups were very difficult, and there would always be disagreements or “things that you regret” when relationships break up, but “a public forum like this is not the way to litigate those”.

Asked if his children were okay, Hipkins choked up and said: “My kids are.. my kids are with her, so I don’t know.”

Asked if the situation could be damaging for Labour, he said he hoped not, and said standing down wasn’t something he considered.

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– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand

Source: Radio New Zealand

The furore over Christopher Luxon’s new matai title is refusing to go away, after local media in Samoa reported there was a late night phone call saying he didn’t want to go ahead with it after “too much interference on social media”.

Luxon refused to answer questions about the reports on Tuesday, saying he wanted to move on from the issue.

The Samoan Observer reported on Tuesday morning Prime Minister Laaulialemalietoa Leuatea Schmidt said he’d received a phone call at about 3am from Samoa’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs CEO, informing him Luxon didn’t want to proceed with the bestowal of the title Tuisinavemaulumoto’otua.

The report stated Schmidt was told Luxon had decided not to go ahead because of “too much interference on social media”. It also said there were discussions that continued into the night, and early Monday morning before the ceremony eventually proceeded.

Schmidt had said he’d told those involved that Samoa had prepared for the ceremony and that he’d urged Luxon not to be concerned about online criticism.

It comes after Luxon’s office denied reports that he requested to be given a matai title ahead of his visit to Samoa.

Samoa’s government had to clarify on Monday morning that neither Luxon nor his representatives had requested he be given an honour, shortly before the presentation.

Luxon’s since said it was a “miscommunication” and both he and the Samoan prime minister had moved on.

Asked on Tuesday about the Samoan Observer report, Luxon wouldn’t say if a phone call had taken place, instead saying he had “nothing further to add”.

“The prime minister issued a statement yesterday,” said Luxon, “I’m going to leave it there”.

“Again, I’m sorry guys, I’m just not going there.”

Asked if it had damaged trust between the two nations, Luxon said a very good relationship had been established through this visit, calling it a very successful trip.

Luxon said there’d been conversations around health, education and the border, and good connections made between the counterparts and cabinet ministers.

Luxon rejected the notion there was “confusion”, saying in the conversations that had occurred, “we’ve moved our conversation to things that actually matter for the Samoan people”.

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Source: Radio New Zealand

New Zealand and Samoa have vowed to do more to combat the flow of drugs through the Pacific, which prime minister Christopher Luxon says has become a “super highway”.

Luxon and his Samoan counterpart La’aulialemalietoa Polataivao Leuatea Fosi Schmidt have signed memorandums of understanding for Police and Customs to work together and share more information.

The agreement would see dedicated New Zealand Police officers embedded in Samoa.

Both Luxon and La’auli were under no illusions as to the challenges the Pacific faced.

“We have recognised that border risk … the fast paced problem of illegal drugs crossing our borders is on the rise,” La’aulialemalietoa said.

“We’re up against it. We’re up against crime families in South America that are doing extraordinary things now to send drugs into our region,” Luxon said.

“And actually, the border and the security is the Pacific. It’s not just the New Zealand border alone as well. So it’s very important that we work together.”

Later, Luxon watched a demonstration of a drug seizure by two detector dogs donated by New Zealand, as part of the Pacific Drug Detector Dog Programme.

A combined effort to combat transnational crime is something Luxon would be bringing with him to Tonga on Tuesday afternoon, as he flew in for a meeting with prime minister Lord Fatefehi Fakafanua.

But Luxon said he was also keen to talk energy security, and was preparing to discuss how officials could work together in that space as well.

It was likely the calls for visa waivers will follow Luxon to Nuku’alofa.

La’aulialemalietoa, community leaders, and Samoan media had all lobbied for Pacific visitors to be treated the same as those from 60 other countries, and be given visas on arrival.

But Luxon appeared unlikely to budge, for now.

“You see what happens around the world when immigration gets out of control, and it’s not legal and it’s not managed. We have, very much, a risk-based approach to it all. We’re trying to liberalise what we can do in the Pacific, and we’ll continue to look at it.”

Luxon would also be keen to put the matter of his matai title behind him as he left Samoa, after the Samoan government admitted neither Luxon nor any of his representatives had requested it.

Luxon said it was a “miscommunication”, and he had moved on, but would not say if Samoa’s government had apologised.

At a gala dinner on Monday evening, La’aulialemalietoa said the controversy was “nonsense” and advised Luxon to ignore it.

“Do not worry about the nonsense on Facebook. Let the village of Apia sort it out, and handle it with respect,” he said.

“It is normal for us here.”

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Source: Radio New Zealand

The war in the Middle East could see inflation in New Zealand hit 3.7 percent in a worst case scenario, Finance Minister Nicola Willis revealed on Tuesday.

Willis said the government was focused on mitigating the impact of the war on critical supply chains and the New Zealand economy.

The cost of filling the petrol tank of an average car had gone up about $23 and about $36 for diesel, she said.

Willis said that the government was aware of the pressure that could put on some households, but warned if there was to be any assistance, it would be very specific.

University of Auckland associate professor of economics Susan St John told Checkpoint New Zealand was already in a “crisis” and low income families were likely most affected.

She said it was about time that “something significant” was done.

“An emergency package could be developed, much like John Key did in 2008 in the global financial crisis,” she said.

“But a package that gets that money directly into the lowest of income families.”

One way to do that is to pay them the full amount of working for families that they currently do not get, St John said.

St John said they missed out on about $100 a week.

“It could be temporary, as was John Key’s policy in 2008 for 16 weeks and be extended if more time was needed,” she said.

“But that would be very focused and go to the very lowest families, the ones that miss out on the full package, the ones who are on benefits, all part benefits, including about 250,000 of the poorest children.”

If you gave the full working for families package, it would mean nearly $100 extra a week, she said.

She said there was a lot of flexibility.

“The beauty of it is that it’s so highly targeted, which is what the minister wants and it’s not the only thing that should be done.

“Because those families who are getting the full package, the working low income families also need help.”

St John said the government would have provide payments without expecting to make cuts elsewhere.

“They’ve already cut far too much out of people on low incomes and so it can’t be found by making their lives any more miserable in other ways,” she said.

“There are different ways if you do want to do something really significant for families and make it stick and that might involve creaming a little bit off the top end of New Zealand Super and redistributing that back through the programs that need it in the social security budget.”

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Source: Radio New Zealand

Labour leader Chris Hipkins is seeking legal advice about a series of unsubstantiated claims made by his ex-wife on social media, RNZ understands.

The allegations – which do not relate to any unlawful activity – were posted on Jade Paul’s private Facebook page on Sunday evening but have since been removed.

In a brief statement on Monday, Hipkins said: “I reject the allegations entirely and don’t intend to make any further comment.”

In response to questions from RNZ, Paul said she stood by her comments.

The couple married at Premier House in early 2020 and separated in 2022. They have two children.

Hipkins publicly confirmed the split in January 2023, shortly after becoming prime minister, saying they had made the decision in the best interest of their family.

Later that year, Hipkins revealed during his election night concession speech that he had a new partner, Toni Grace.

Hipkins proposed to Grace in November.

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Source: Radio New Zealand

Christopher Luxon is putting the question of whether or not he asked for a matai title behind him, saying it was a miscommunication and both he and the Samoan prime minister have moved on.

Samoa’s government had to clarify on Monday morning that neither Luxon nor his representatives had requested he be given an honour, shortly before the presentation.

Luxon thanked those present for the title Tuisinavemaulumoto’otua, saying it was a great honour.

“We are now connected forever,” Luxon told the crowd, which included representatives of villages and the wider community, as well as the New Zealand delegation.

At the end of the lengthy ceremony, in which Luxon and assembled ministers and delegation members drunk kava (prompting an “I love Samoa” from police minister Mark Mitchell), Luxon and his wife Amanda joined Samoa’s representatives for a dance.

Luxon then met privately with La’aulialemalietoa for a bilateral discussion, before a joint Cabinet meeting.

Memorandums of arrangement were signed on Police and Customs matters, with commitments around combatting transnational crime and drug trafficking.

Afterwards, Luxon said the Pacific had become a “super-highway for drugs,” and he and La’aulialemalietoa were committed to more information sharing.

“We’ve got to make sure we cut down the drugs out on the sea. We’ve got to make sure that the borders are strong, because actually, the border around the Pacific is the border for all of us. We’ve got to make sure that we disrupt it in-country,” he said.

“And then, importantly, we also need to make sure we work with good organisations like the Salvation Army and others to deal with the social harm that is happening inside our own communities as well.”

He said the conversations were “illuminating,” and the two had shared what more could be done in healthcare and education as well.

Luxon invited Samoan ministers to visit New Zealand later in the year for further collaboration.

Asked about what went wrong with the matai title mixup, Luxon said he was “done and finished” with the matter.

“We’ve worked our way through that issue in the last few hours, the last day, and what I’d say is important is our conversation has been about how we take our relationship forward,” he said.

“And so I appreciate there was some miscommunication and all of that, but we’ve got ourselves to the right place where we are wanting to build our relationship in a deeper way.”

A question was put to La’aulialemalietoa about the matai title, which he did not answer, but earlier said it was a “token of respect.”

La’aulialemalietoa also spoke of the importance of the relationship between New Zealand and Samoa, which he described in sibling terms.

“You see the changing nowadays in the world. Big countries bully, start to change things dynamically, tariffs, pushing things, patrolling, and all that taking over. Samoa’s focus is to make sure we look after ourselves by ourselves, and controlling by ourselves,” he said.

“So that’s why it’s very, very important for Samoa, New Zealand, and Australia, and all Pacific regions, to come back together again, formulate our Pacific island nation, and make sure we have the capacity to look after ourselves in our own side of the world.”

Luxon was asked about what the government would do to improve visa access, but gave the same answer he has previously given New Zealand media – that the government has made it easier, cheaper, and faster but remains concerned about overstayers.

“We’ve had two attempts, I think, at visa free in New Zealand’s history, and they had to get stopped very quickly, because our hospitals got filled up, our schools got filled up, and people didn’t go home. “

Neither leader mentioned the HMNZS Manawanui in their opening remarks, but La’aulialemalietoa later indicated he did not believe the matter to be finished.

The New Zealand government paid $6 million in compensation last year, but La’aulialemalietoa said where it would go was still being finalised.

“At this stage, the continuation of the negotiation is still on, and we need to have time, better time with New Zealand, to consider what is good for us here, and protective, and also preserve what’s going to be affected in the future. That’s the where the discussion should be.”

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