Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has moved to quash speculation of growing disquiet with his leadership within the National Party amid poor polling, saying his job is "secure" and that he is confident that he has the full support of his caucus.
The New Zealand Herald reported that moves to replace Luxon as National Party leader could happen within the next fortnight, while Breakfast’s Tova O’Brien had been in contact with a National MP who told her the numbers were probably there to unseat him.
However, the MP told her the preference was for him to stand down rather than for him to be rolled.
"Nobody wants blood to spill. Anything other than him [Luxon] stepping down would be a nightmare and he knows that," the MP said in a text.
Full video: Luxon faces media amid leadership speculation
The Prime Minister says he is "very confident" that he has the "full support" of the National Party caucus. (Source: 1News)
Speaking at a media conference in Pōkeno this afternoon, Luxon answered the first few questions by saying he had the "full support of my caucus".
"I talk to my caucus all the time. I'm very confident I have the full support of my caucus," he said.
Poor polling was understood to be the driving factor behind the speculation, with a low poll result last month also triggering speculation around his leadership.
Asked about the poor polling and a surge in support for New Zealand First, Luxon said if the election were to be held today, the coalition Government would be reinstated.
"National has work to do, no doubt about it, and we're well aware of that, and that's what we're working hard to do. There's only one poll that matters, and it's November 7, and the New Zealand people make that decision."
Senior ministers react to speculation
Liam Hehir said there was a group of disgruntled MPs, but they were not Ministers and there was no single leader behind the potential move. (Source: Breakfast)
The Herald reported Stuart Smith, MP and party whip, could not contact Luxon during the last sitting of Parliament two weeks ago to communicate the views of National MPs.
But a spokesperson the Prime Minister said: "The PM has a busy diary, but is always available to MPs. He spent the day with Stuart on Tuesday."
Finance Minister Nicola Willis told RNZ from Washington DC she was "100%" behind Luxon and that her support had never wavered as his deputy.
"I think the best way to lower polling numbers on Election Day is to get distracted by this sort of rubbish, so I'm not going to get distracted by it," she said.
"I'm looking forward to us winning the election and him being the prime minister for a few years yet to come."
Senior MP Chris Bishop, who faced a partial demotion in Luxon’s Cabinet reshuffle earlier this month, has previously been rumoured to be behind a potential coup. He told Newstalk ZB this morning there was no coup.
"I’m not trying to upend the party, that’s not happening. No, there’s no coup happening."
He said to his knowledge there was no one within the party trying to unseat Luxon. He accepted that everyone wants the party "to do better".
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