Source: Radio New Zealand
The Prime Minister has announced this year’s election will be held on 7 November.
Christopher Luxon made the announcement from National’s caucus retreat in Christchurch.
The date had been widely tipped beforehand, and Luxon said he chose it as it was a “logical time,” with eight of New Zealand’s last 12 elections also held in October or November.
“When you look at the international events beforehand, when you look at the national events, sporting events, that was sort of the logical time,” he said.
The announcement began with a lengthy preamble of what National had done so far in government, including its tax cuts, education and law and order policies, and its reforms to the Resource Management Act.
Luxon said in the lead up to November, New Zealanders would have to weigh up who was best placed to provide “strong and stable” government in a “very volatile and uncertain world,” pitching that National would provide a strong economy, safer streets, a world-leading education, and more affordable housing.
Luxon said the economic recovery was now “up and running,” and a November election would mean National could “demonstrate more of that” throughout the year.
“We’ve been doing a big turnaround, we’ve been fixing a lot of the basics. We now have an opportunity, as this recovery comes through, not just to watch it come through but to actually shape the future of this country and to put in place the long-term reforms that actually will help the country realise its potential and to lift all of our collective living standards.”
Asked whether he had given any thought to going early, to prevent ACT and New Zealand First from absorbing more of the limelight, Luxon repeated that when he had looked at the calendar and sporting events that he had got to late October and early November.
As Prime Minister, the date was Luxon’s decision. But he confirmed he had informed David Seymour and Winston Peters of the date on Tuesday.
Luxon said he was “open” to working with his current coalition partners again, but he would be making the case that the “strongest and most stablest” form of government would be a strong party vote for National.
“They do not care” – Labour ready for election
Labour MPs were holding their own caucus retreat in West Auckland as news of the election date came through.
Labour leader Chris Hipkins said the contest could not come soon enough.
“New Zealanders face a very clear choice at this year’s election between a government that’s offering more cuts, more division and more negativity, or a change of government to a government with a positive vision for New Zealand’s future.”
Labour held their caucus retreat in West Auckland. RNZ / Lillian Hanly
Hipkins said Luxon had failed to deliver on his promises, adding the number of people that left the country last year was an indictment on his government.
“We need to do better as a country. All National’s offering is more of the same, more excuses, more backtracking, more going backwards. They do not feel the pain that New Zealand families are feeling right now and they do not care.
“We deserve a government that is going to put working Kiwis first. That’s going to make sure that New Zealanders who go out every day, slog their guts out and work hard, actually have the opportunity to get ahead. National cannot offer that future, Labour will.”
“We’re proud of our record” – ACT
The ACT Party said it would be giving the public a clear choice at the election: “To avoid the reds and greens, without settling for beige.”
ACT leader David Seymour said the party was “proud of our record,” and had proven it could cut red tape, shrink government waste, and provide better value for the taxpayer dollar.
“We’ve also proven we can work collegially and effectively with our partners in coalition. In everything from youth justice to medicines, we have delivered. ACT provides the full package for voters who rightly fear the Labour-Green-Māori menace, but also want faster action on waste, red tape, and pride in our country,” he said.
“Retirement date” for Luxon – Te Pāti Māori
Te Pāti Māori said in announcing the election date, Luxon had also announced his retirement date.
“The pain this government has inflicted on our communities and our taiao will be felt for generations,” said co-leader Debbie Ngarewa-Packer.
“Aotearoa cannot afford another term of this government. If we do not change the government, poverty and the environmental desecration will be entrenched as a normal part of life in Aotearoa.”
The party encouraged its supporters to enrol early, following changes the government made to scrap same-day enrolment.
“Game on” for National MPs
Ahead of the announcement National MPs, gathered for their first caucus meeting of the year.
On their way in, senior ministers would not give anything away about the date, but said they were ready.
Finance minister Nicola Willis. RNZ / Nathan McKinnon
Finance minister Nicola Willis was optimistic that economic fortunes would improve before the election.
“There’s always more to do, and we have ahead of us several months before an election, and our government will be working hard every week to make more progress, to make more changes, to make a difference to New Zealanders’ everyday lives,” she said.
“I’m always conscious that yes, the GDP data has improved. Yes, the Official Cash Rate is down. Yes, the business confidence index is up. But families need to feel that at home.”
National’s campaign chair Chris Bishop said it was “game on” and it would be a big year.
“It’ll be a really clear contrast at the election, and I’m really confident people will make the right decision, but there’s a long way to run between now and the end of the year.”
National’s campaign chair Chris Bishop. RNZ / Nathan McKinnon
Bishop said he expected his workload would loosen closer to the start of the campaign.
“I don’t sleep a lot as it is. So it’s all good,” he said.
“I like being busy, and I like the portfolios that I’ve got the privilege of being in charge of, but ultimately that’s over to the Prime Minister. We will probably be having a chat about potentially freeing me up to focus on the campaign, because that is a really key responsibility. But that’s all down the line, and I’m really relaxed about it.”
While a ministerial reshuffle was not announced at the retreat, Luxon has previously said that retirements may necessitate one.
No MPs have announced their retirement at the retreat, and none would give much away of their intentions on their way into the caucus meeting.
Bishop said any retirement announcements were for the individuals to make, and he would not divulge chats he had had with his colleagues.
National party president Sylvia Wood said National went into the end of last year “really, really well” and the party was feeling good.
“We’ve got a great ground game. We’ve got a great set of members. So it’s going to be good,” she said.
Ahead of the 2023 election, the party gave its membership a goal of hitting 45 percent of the party vote, which it did not meet, landing on 38 percent.
Wood would not say whether there would be a target again this time, only saying she wanted a “really, really good” party vote.
Palestine Solidarity Network Aotearoa protested outside the event at the Commodore Hotel.
The Palestine Solidarity Network Aotearoa protested outside the National caucus retreat. RNZ / Nathan McKinnon
Organiser John Minto criticised the government for not sanctioning Israel and not recognising Palestinian statehood.
He said pro-Palestine groups would continue to protest other National Party events “again and again” throughout the election year.
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– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand