PM Christopher Luxon has survived a confidence vote in his leadership at National's caucus meeting this morning — then sacked newcomer Cabinet minister Chris Penk for launching a challenge against him, with the MP announcing tonight he'd also not seek re-election.
Luxon declared he had "full support" from his caucus, only four months after MPs last had to take a vote on his premiership. The Prime Minister confirmed a vote took place speaking at the Beehive shortly after the closed-door meeting broke after 12.30pm.
Chris Penk sacked after launching leadership challenge against Luxon - watch on TVNZ+
Other parties are scathing of the “damaging” and “circus” antics from the governing party. (Source: 1News)
"There was a confidence vote in my leadership this morning at our caucus meeting, and I have the full support of our caucus," he said.
"And our caucus is united, and it is determined to win this election."
Penk to quit politics after being sacked
Hours after being stripped of his portfolios, Penk announced he would not seek re-election in November, saying he had "reflected on my political future" with his family.
"I am a proud member of the National Party, and I fully back National and Christopher Luxon to lead the Government after the election and take New Zealand forward," he said in a statement released by the Prime Minister's Office.
Penk, who has held the Kaipara ki Mahurangi seat for nine years, said it had been "a privilege to serve my community" and that he was proud of his work as a minister this term, but had "decided it is the time for me to seek other opportunities".
This afternoon, Luxon dropped a bombshell statement, saying: "Chris Penk launched a leadership challenge this week, which resulted in today's confidence vote.
"This makes his role untenable, and as such I have removed his portfolios."
The shock reveal confirmed speculation that there had apparently been an overt effort to challenge the Prime Minister's leadership within the National Party.
"Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith will pick up the Defence, Veterans, Space, GCSB and NZSIS portfolios," said Luxon.
"Simon Watts will become Minister for Building and Construction."
The Prime Minister's Office separately confirmed to 1News that much-speculated-about leadership candidates Erica Stanford and Chris Bishop did not officially make a challenge — it was Penk who did so at today's caucus meeting.
Luxon walks off from presser without taking questions
Luxon said the party's focus was on its "positive plan to fix the basics and to build the future", and cast the election as a clear choice for voters on November 7.
He said National had made "tremendous progress" in government on economic growth, financial discipline, law and order, and education and healthcare.
The Prime Minister then walked off without taking questions from media.
Luxon delivered his 76-second statement flanked by senior colleagues at the Banquet Hall, presenting a picture of unity as he confirmed he had survived the vote.
The Prime Minister, flanked by the National Party President and other senior MPs, said he had the "full support" of his caucus. (Source: 1News)
Standing behind Luxon included speculated leadership candidates Erica Stanford, Mark Mitchell, and Chris Bishop. Other ministers included Louise Upston and Simeon Brown.
Standing next to him was deputy leader Nicola Willis and party president Sylvia Wood.
The outcome capped a tense morning at Parliament, where throngs of political journalists, photographers and camera crews had gathered.
Luxon's tone today was markedly different from April, when the National Party last faced down a self-initiated confidence motion by Luxon.
Back then, an embattled PM used a chunk of his statement to attack the media, telling reporters that if they wanted to "keep focusing on speculation and rumour, I am not going to engage", and declaring the matter "now closed".
Tova O'Brien speaks to Brigitte Morten and Esther Robinson ahead of the 9.30am caucus meeting. (Source: Breakfast)
At the time he declared caucus had "answered clearly and decisively" — a line that has not held, given today's repeat four months on.
Speaking today Luxon leaned into the election campaign, casting November as a contest between "an opposition that wants to take New Zealand backwards" and a National-led government he said would "take New Zealand forward".
He signed off with: "We're going back to work and we're moving on."
Penk denied coup reports
Just hours before he was stripped of his portfolios, Penk flatly denied being part of any move against the Prime Minister.
Asked directly whether he had plotted against Luxon, he said: "We don't talk about what happens in caucus, but I'm really pleased with the result."
It was widely speculated ahead of this morning's caucus meeting that Penk had been involved to an unknown degree in planning to remove Luxon as leader.
The National MP denied making calls on behalf of Erica Stanford. (Source: 1News)
Pressed at Wellington Airport on whether he expected to keep the defence portfolio, he said: "It's always the case that ministerial portfolios are the gift of the prime minister."
He would later lose that portfolio, and every other, after Luxon confirmed his challenge had triggered the vote.
'A hit in the polls' now expected – National minister
NZ First leader Winston Peters – National's coalition partner – downplayed the significance of the result.
"After days of speculation and distraction it has boiled down to 'much ado about nothing'," he said, adding the focus should return to "driving down the cost of living" ahead of an election "less than three months away".
Senior National minister Mark Mitchell called the day's events an "unnecessary distraction" but insisted the caucus had "emerged completely united". He conceded the party expected to take "a hit in the polls" – "the important thing is that we bounce back now".
Mitchell also swatted away speculation he was a contender for the deputy leadership.
"I don't know whether it's people interviewing their keyboards or what it is but, no, my full focus was making sure that we support our prime minister."
Several other MPs echoed the 100% confidence line as they left Parliament.
"I think the whole caucus is 100% behind Christopher Luxon," Melissa Lee said, with Maureen Pugh offering the same response. Tim Van de Molen said he "absolutely" supported the PM, calling it "clear" the caucus was behind him.
MP Cameron Brewer cheerfully added: "This is a great day for the National caucus."
Opposition seizes on 'infighting'
Labour leader Chris Hipkins said National was "focused on fighting amongst themselves" and unable to deliver on the cost of living.
“Backstabbing and infighting just means more delay and more distraction for New Zealand. If National can’t govern itself, how can New Zealanders trust it to govern the country?" he said in a media release.
"New Zealand doesn't need another National leader. It needs a change of government."
In a social media post, Hipkins said National remained "deeply divided", pointing to the timing of the meeting.
"A Government that was serious about making life better for Kiwis wouldn't need to drag its MPs back to Wellington for an emergency meeting in recess week."
Meanwhile, Green Party co-leader Chlöe Swarbrick said the party "continue to show their focus is on anything other than what matters to the people of this country", while co-leader Marama Davidson said "only a new government" would ease rising costs.
What's happened in the past 24 hours
National MPs have been meeting behind closed doors at Parliament since this morning to decide whether Luxon should keep the leadership and remain Prime Minister.
MPs were required to hand in their phones before entering, and a large banner was hung across the caucus room so nobody could see inside.
Luxon has carried a low poll rating for much of his time in office compared with other first-term prime ministers, and speculation ahead of the meeting had centred on Education Minister Stanford as a potential alternative.
Media reports on the Prime Minister's future swirled over the past 24 hours. (Source: 1News)
Penk earlier denied suggestions he had been counting numbers for Stanford, while Nicola Grigg said Stanford was "not a prime minister".
Several MPs publicly backed the Prime Minister on their way in.
Police Minister Mitchell said he backed Luxon, and National's Northcote MP Dan Bidois told 1News: "I back Christopher Luxon as leader of the National Party, 100%."
Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith gave a one-word answer when asked if Luxon had his full confidence — "Absolutely" — and said he doubted a vote would take place at all.
Former National leader and PM John Key, speaking at a financial conference in Auckland, addressed the question directly when asked by Jack Tame whether Luxon would stay on.
"The simple answer is I don't know," Key said, adding that as someone who "bleeds blue" he would get behind whatever caucus decided.
The general election is scheduled for November 7.
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