Parliament is back in earnest with new opposition leader Chris Hipkins saying the beginning of the new government has been one of the "most shambolic" ever seen.
He spoke from the opposition benches with his substantially reduced caucus of MPs as Christopher Luxon later hit back hard, focusing on Labour's "humiliating" election defeat.
The Prime Minister declared: "New Zealand is under new management".
Hipkins' speech kicked off the new term in Parliament with the address in reply debate, in response to the Speech from the Throne, delivered earlier today.
Spoken by Governor-General Dame Cindy Kiro, the Speech from the Throne is written by the new government and lays out its plans for the term.
Speaking in the House, Hipkins said the speech had been characterised more by what the Government planned to repeal rather than its vision.
He also took aim at what he said was a "pathetic" Luxon during coalition negotiations.
"Not only does the Government have its priorities wrong, this could well be the most shambolic beginning of any government in New Zealand's history," he said. "We had, as predicted, Winston Peters and David Seymour running circles around Christopher Luxon.
"I don't think I have ever seen anything as pathetic as the incoming prime minister literally sprinting out the door of Parliament to fly back to Auckland, because he had been summoned by Winston Peters."
The new Opposition leader chose fierce rhetoric in his first address. (Source: 1News)
Hipkins said the Government had inherited positive things from the previous Labour government, including in the economy and employment, and said it had invested in health and education.
Finance Minister Nicola Willis interjected that outcomes in those areas had got worse.
Hipkins said: "I respect the fact New Zealanders voted for change. I don't think the change they're getting is the change they thought they were voting for though."
He continued: "It is in opposition, and as a future government, we will seek to bring New Zealanders together, not drive a wedge between Kiwis."
Hipkins said the new government was buying "into the conspiracy theorist view" around vaccines, and said it was launching an "outright attack" on gender-diverse communities.
"But perhaps the most egregious and divisive policies that we are seeing from this government or when it comes to issues around Māori," he said.
The opposition leader concluded: "We're absolutely resolved that for the first time in New Zealand's history, this will be the first one-term National government."
PM: Hipkins 'is like an arsonist'
Luxon said it was good to be back and with a much bigger team. He then acknowledged National MPs James Meager and Katie Nimon who had just given maiden speeches and congratulated all MPs on their election.
Christopher Luxon mocked the Labour leader's "humiliating" election defeat as the new Parliament sits for the first time. (Source: 1News)
"New Zealand is under new management," he declared to applause from his MPs.
He said National was the party that "got things done".
"New Zealanders want National, ACT and New Zealand First to be a strong government."
Luxon said National would "nurse" the economy "back to health", restore law and order, and "get public services working better".
He said the new government is "about increasing incomes and outcomes".
"Good execution matters, and that's measured by results, and it's measured by outcomes.
"But, Mr Speaker, the first result I actually want to talk about is the election result and specifically Labour's".
The Prime Minister said the view from the Government benches was still of Labour "but there's a lot fewer of them" and Labour's election result had been "ritual humiliation".
"Chris Hipkins started the last term with the biggest majority in MMP history and is starting this one with one of the most humiliating defeats for the Labour Party.
"What we just now heard from Chris Hipkins was not righteous indignation. It was ritual humiliation," he said. "New Zealand has kicked them out and make no mistake.Labour earned its loss — it worked hard for it."
Labour MP Grant Robertson interjected: "You know this is address in reply, right?"
Luxon continued: "We heard from a bitter and twisted and negative Chris Hipkins.
"Why is he still here after squandering and decimating an absolute majority in just three years? So many Kiwis said 'I'll vote for anyone but Labour' and they did.
"He is actually like an arsonist, who having thrown accelerant all over the joint and lit the place up, he doesn't slink off leaving the scene ... He just simply loiters and hangs around at the scene of the crime, actually just waiting and watching everything."
As Luxon turned to the economy, Robertson interjected: "I know you like me, but this has got to stop."
The PM went on to re-tread points from his Government's 100-day plan and his key promises — including on cost of living, law and order, and improving public services.
"New Zealanders can be positive about the future," he said.
"Change won't be easy and it won't be quick, because Labour has left us a lot to repair and to rebuild. And the books are not in good shape. But I tell you there's nothing that can't be done by a government that actually knows what it's doing.
"There's nothing that can't be done when we don't put New Zealanders first.
He concluded: "The people have given us the mandate and we are ready to go to work."
Additional reporting by Justin Hu.
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