Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has been quizzed on last week's Cabinet changes, which saw a reshuffling of responsibilities for some National Party MPs.
Luxon spoke to Breakfast this morning after squeezing through a refreshed ministerial lineup for National's section of the coalition Cabinet just before the Easter break. It comes with Judith Collins and Shane Reti retiring.
With Reti stepping back from his Ministerial roles before retiring from Parliament at the end of the current term, Tama Potaka will be the party's only Māori minister in Cabinet.
Asked by host Tova O'Brien how many Māori ministers were in National's segment of cabinet, Luxon said: "Well, we've got a number, but the key thing here is really about reallocating portfolios."
He was further pressed by O'Brien about the number of Māori MP's in National's portion of Cabinet, to which he replied James Meager.
Meager is a Minister outside Cabinet.
"The point of the Cabinet reshuffle was to make sure those big portfolios are reallocated. Two - we make sure we've got a big focus on the energy and and the fuel crisis, and three that we're bringing through talent."
O'Brien then asked if Potaka was not in Cabinet.
"He is in Cabinet, Tama's there, yup, he's doing a great job."
O'Brien then asked "did you just forget about him?"
"Sorry, I might of, but Tama's doing a great job," Luxon replied.
“I’d just say to you, look, I get what you’re trying to say. But the bigger point here is actually making sure we’ve got the right talent to be able to get on and get the job done.
“We’ve got great Māori representation in our Cabinet, across the parties, and most importantly, we’ve gotta make sure we’re focused on this fuel crisis and actually getting New Zealand through it."
Bishop demotion 'absolutely not' a reaction to alleged failed coup
Minister’s rumoured role in a failed coup would have done his prospects few favours in the National Party reset. (Source: 1News)
Senior minister Chris Bishop picked up the role of Attorney General in the reshuffle, but lost the major roles of Leader of the House and campaign chair for National. He also lost the associate sport and recreation portfolio, which the PM axed entirely. It comes after rumours that Bishop was behind a failed coup late last year.
Luxon was asked this morning if Bishop's demotion was proof that the alleged attempt to roll him actually happened.
"Absolutely not," Luxon said. "I reject the characterisation of that question."
The Prime Minister said Bishop was doing an "exceptionally good job" and had a "massive workload".
He said Attorney General was an important constitutional role, which should be as apolitical as possible.
“Having him lead a campaign, which is quite partisan, doesn’t always make sense either.”
Foreign Minister Winston Peters will be speaking to US Secretary of State Marco Rubio as the war against Iran rumbles on. (Source: Breakfast)
US President Donald Trump caused a stir over the weekend when he made an expletive-laden threat to Iran.
The President set a deadline for Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz – a vital trade corridor through which 20% of the world's oil passes. Iran closed the Strait after the US and Israel attacked the Middle Eastern country in late February. The closure has seen oil prices skyrocket, causing pain at the fuel pump for many, including in New Zealand.
In a post to social media, the President said: "Open the F***in’ Strait, you crazy bastards, or you’ll be living in Hell - JUST WATCH! Praise be to Allah."
PM asked if he’d consider freezing MP pay rises as fuel crisis hits Kiwis - Watch on TVNZ+
Luxon was asked for his thoughts on the President's language, saying: “It’s not for me to comment on every utterance or tweet that he makes.
“From my point of view, what we want to see is a de-escalation between the US and Iran, we want to see the parties come together, negotiate a settlement and for the conflict to stop."
Foreign Minister Winston Peters was heading to Washington, DC this week to meet with Secretary of State Marco Rubio, among other officials.
Luxon was asked whether it would be an opportunity for New Zealand to directly condemn the war and the resulting trade chaos it caused.
He stopped short of condemnation, but said Peters would make remarks to Rubio about how "gravely concerned" the New Zealand Government was about the conflict.
“[Peters] has built a good rapport with [Rubio] over the last year. In fact, we’ve done that across the new administration, and they have regular meetings.
“So this is a good opportunity for him to make the case about how that conflict is having huge implications on the world, but also how it's impacting us here in the Indo-Pacific, and here at home in New Zealand.
“I’m sure it will be a productive conversation.”
Looking back at New Zealand, Luxon told Breakfast the Government was expecting a "big hit" to inflation and growth.
“Our job is to make sure we minimise that impact as much as possible. We’re very conscious of not repeating the mistakes of Covid, where we saw inflation jump out to 32-year highs and debt out to $180 billion. "
He said there was a “range of scenarios” that could play out regarding the economy.
“To be honest with you, I don’t think any economist can really hand on here tell you what’s going to happen.
“The longer this crisis goes on, the worse it is for New Zealanders and the harder it is for Kiwis."
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