Luxon survives second leadership challenge, sacks defence minister Chris Penk
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon survived a second confidence vote in four months after Defence Minister Chris Penk launched an unsuccessful leadership challenge, prompting Luxon to strip Penk of his…
Christopher Luxon faced an emergency National Party caucus meeting and survived a confidence vote on his leadership for the second time in four months. The Prime Minister claimed to have the full support of his caucus and called the party united. Hours later, Luxon's office announced that defence minister Chris Penk had launched the leadership challenge, leading Luxon to strip him of all ministerial portfolios. Penk subsequently announced he would not seek re-election in November.
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Coverage across the news outlets we track, as at publication.
What outlets are saying
The Spinoff
Live updates: High noon looms for Luxon as National caucus gathers in Wellington
Is Christopher Luxon about to be rolled? Follow along for all the latest as National MPs head to an urgent caucus meeting. The prime minister is facing the biggest challenge to his leadership yet, with an urgent meeting set to…
Stuff
Luxon calls leadership showdown – and expressions of support are not total
Not every MP has answered in the affirmative to the question of whether they back the PM – including a potential challenger in Erica Stanford.
Stuff
Have your say: National’s leadership showdown
It’s shaping up to be a big day in politics – we wanted to know what you think.
Stuff
For Nigel Farage, success brings new pressures and a showdown with Count Binface
LONDON (AP) — Nigel Farage depicts himself as an outsider taking on the establishment, but now the tables have turned.
Newstalk ZB
David Seymour: Deputy Prime Minister and ACT Leader on the speculations surrounding the National Party leadership
The Deputy Prime Minister won’t make a prediction on the outcome of today’s National leadership challenge, but says a Prime Minister leading a coalition that’s ahead in the polls should be supported.
Stuff
The main contenders – who’s backing Luxon, and who won’t say?
As National MPs head into an urgent caucus meeting over Luxon’s leadership, some have offered their full support – while others are keeping their cards firmly to themselves.
1News
Watch live: News conference after Luxon leadership meeting
National MPs were summoned back to Wellington for a 9.30am caucus meeting as rumours again swirled about Christopher Luxon's leadership.
1News
Luxon wins National Party confidence vote, will remain PM
"We're going back to work and we're moving on," says the Prime Minister.
1News
Full statement: Luxon survives caucus showdown – 'United'
Here's what the Prime Minister said after surviving a second confidence vote today.
BusinessDesk
Luxon survives confidence vote in caucus
In a brief statement to the media, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has said he has survived a confidence vote. Luxon was flanked by Chris Bishop, Nicola Willis, Mark Mitchell, Paul Goldsmith, Erica Stanford, Simeon Brown and Louise Upston, as he…
interest.co.nz
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon survives another National Party confidence vote
Christopher Luxon remains Prime Minister and National Party leader after surviving another caucus vote
1News
Luxon wins confidence vote, claims his caucus is united
"We're going back to work and we're moving on," says the Prime Minister in a 79-second statement.
Newstalk ZB
‘Our caucus is united’: Christopher Luxon holds on to leadership of National Party
National MPs will make their way to Parliament this morning to discuss the leadership of Christopher Luxon for the second time in four months.
RNZ
National leadership meeting sets back Queenstown regional growth deal
The plan to sign the deal was cancelled after the National Party caucus was called to the capital.
Newstalk ZB
Barry Soper: Newstalk ZB senior political correspondent on Luxon surviving another confidence vote
There's suggestions heads will roll over Chris Luxon's latest leadership challenge, but not straight away.
The Spinoff
Live updates: Luxon says Penk launched leadership challenge, sacks him as minister
Christopher Luxon has stripped Chris Penk of his ministerial portfolios, saying it was the defence minister who launched a leadership challenge that resulted in today’s confidence vote. The prime minister faced his biggest challenge yet this morning, with National holding…
BusinessDesk
The limits of the CEO Prime Minister
If Christopher Luxon thought politics was just another CEO role, he has surely been disabused of this notion by now. In business a problem can often be made to look solved with a decision, but in politics a decision can…
Newsroom
Luxon sacks spies minister Chris Penk after failed leadership plot
Chris Penk denied scheming against Christopher Luxon after Wednesday's caucus meeting, but has been sacked from Cabinet by the Prime Minister The post Luxon sacks spies minister Chris Penk after failed leadership plot appeared first on Newsroom .
1News
PM wins leadership vote after challenge fails, minister sacked
"We're going back to work and we're moving on," says the Prime Minister in a 76-second statement.
1News
PM wins leadership vote after challenge fails, Penk won't seek re-election
"We're going back to work and we're moving on," says the Prime Minister in a 76-second statement.
interest.co.nz
Luxon strips Chris Penk of ministerial portfolios, Penk announces election retirement
PM and National leader Christopher Luxon punishes Chris Penk, saying he 'launched a leadership challenge', removes portfolios
interest.co.nz
Luxon’s leadership: What on earth just happened and what happens next?
Anna Whyte looks at Christopher Luxon's second National Party leadership confidence vote, his brutal ministerial sacking and what a new political poll means
interest.co.nz
National MPs probably weighed up opportunity vs risk in leadership vote, political commentator says
David Farrar talks Christopher Luxon’s second confidence vote and what National needs to do now
NZ Herald
PM Christopher Luxon sacks Chris Penk from Cabinet, strips portfolios after leadership challenge
Chris Penk has lost his portfolios only months after he was promoted to Cabinet.
The Spinoff
Nothing to see here: Christopher Luxon has the full support of his caucus
There’s no reason to doubt the prime minister’s claim that his caucus is united. Provided you ignore all the reasons to doubt his claim that his caucus is united. If Christopher Luxon was clear about one thing at his press…
Otago Daily Times
Editorial: Getting back to work with National
Newstalk ZB
PM Christopher Luxon sacks Chris Penk from Cabinet, strips portfolios after leadership challenge
Sacked minister Chris Penk won’t seek re-election after Prime Minister Christopher Luxon stripped him of all of his portfolios on Wednesday afternoon, outing him as the person who launched a challenge for the National leadership.
The Spinoff
Viva la Luxon: How the prime minister survived the coup
Luxon survives a leadership challenge, but many questions remain, writes Henry Oliver in today’s excerpt from The Bulletin. To receive The Bulletin in full each weekday, sign up here . Yesterday, finally, Luxon had some good news to share. After…
Stuff
How National’s secret vote works after failed leadership bid
Christopher Luxon survived a second confidence vote in four months after Defence Minister Chris Penk launched an unsuccessful leadership challenge.
Newstalk ZB
Mark Mitchell: National MP on Christopher Luxon surviving a second leadership challenge, Chris Penk being sacked
Mark Mitchell is sorry about the whole situation the National party caucus found itself in.
Otago Daily Times
Luxon's leadership victory: You come at the King, you best not miss
The Spinoff
Chris crossed: Everyone feels sorry for Penk
The prime minister has dumped one of his rising stars in a move intended to convince voters that National is back on track. It seems he’s already lost grip on that narrative. It was the outcome no one was expecting.…
NZ Herald
Inside Politics: Why did Chris Penk destroy his promising career?
OPINION: Chris Penk is a rational person, so why did he destroy his own promising career?
NZ Herald
The National Party’s 92 political ads that are seen by only men
National and Act ads were often seen only by men, RNZ analysis finds.
1News
The National Party's 92 political ads seen by only men
Out of more than 500 ads National has run on Facebook and Instagram this year, only one was solely seen by women.
Newstalk ZB
Azaria Howell: Newstalk ZB reporter on Luxon claiming recent confidence vote won't impact National's standing in the polls
Christopher Luxon doesn't believe voters will punish his party in the polls after he survived another confidence vote.
Stuff
Luxon, fresh from failed caucus coup, insists everything is normal
A day after staring down mutinous National Party MPs, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has tried to ignore the fact it has been an incredibly bizarre few days in politics.
1News
Who is Chris Penk: Instigator, numbers guy, fall guy, or nice guy?
In Parliament for nine years, he rose from 63rd on the party's list to being in Cabinet as Minister for Defence, Veterans, Space, the spy agencies, and Building and Construction.
1News
Former National minister calls Luxon coup attempt 'shambolic'
The Prime Minister emerged from a three-hour caucus meeting on Wednesday having won a confidence vote, with Wayne Mapp saying it wasn't as clean as previous attempts.
Stuff
Flights for National’s failed coup likely cost taxpayers $35k+
Based on back-of-an-envelope calculations, Air NZ searches, assumptions, & a bit of wriggle room, Stuff has estimated the cost of flights for National’s failed coup.
Newsroom
The secret mission of .. Chris Penk
Based on an interview that Steve Braunias conducted with Chris Penk in 2024 The post The secret mission of .. Chris Penk appeared first on Newsroom .
BusinessDesk
On the Money: John Key, Chris Penk, Vittoria Shortt, Sam Ricketts, Jack Tame, Barrenjoey, Craigs and more
On the Money (OTM) is our column of general frippery we observed within the worlds of business and government this week. After last week’s announcement of the City Rail Link opening date , Aucklanders are now finally being allowed inside…
Otago Daily Times
The National Party's 92 political ads seen by only men
An RNZ analysis of Facebook advertising by political parties in election year shows some seem to be chasing specific genders and age groups, reports Farah Hancock .
Otago Daily Times
Editorial: Will the real whodunnit stand up?
NZ Herald
Luxon leadership coup: Why surviving the confidence vote is only a reprieve – Fran O’Sullivan
OPINION: Luxon survived a second leadership challenge, but National’s divisions remain.
NZ Herald
Blood on the floor: Best and worst leadership coups and the ones that backfired
OPINION: Historical judgments about this week's inept attempted coup should be reserved.
NZ Herald
Christopher Luxon leadership: National caucus coup attempt overshadows election issues – Bruce Cotterill
OPINION: The election campaign should focus on economic plans, not political drama.
Stuff
Penk, an ex-Navy officer, saw the iceberg ahead. National threw him overboard
That fact should worry the remnant of his cabinet even more than losing one of the most talented and popular ministers.
Stuff
‘I don’t know’: Minister unsure if Penk acted alone in coup attempt
Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith says he is not certain whether Defence Minister Chris Penk acted alone in trying to oust Christopher Luxon as leader of the National Party.
NZ Herald
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon in studio with Mike Hosking after failed leadership coup
The Education Minister was rumoured to be behind Chris Penk's leadership challenge.
Stuff
‘I take them at their word’: Luxon confident other ministers weren’t part of failed coup
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon says he is confidence Defence Minister Chris Penk acted alone in trying to oust him as leader of the National Party.
1News
Luxon confident in backing from Stanford, Bishop
The Prime Minister said the National MPs had nothing to do with Chris Penk's failed leadership coup and remained fully behind him heading into the election.
interest.co.nz
Inside the Capital: Greens go after groceries, Helen Clark goes after Qiulae Wong and Christopher Luxon holds firm
Greens go after groceries, Helen Clark goes after Qiulae Wong and Christopher Luxon holds firm on failed leadership challenge
Stuff
Coup collateral: New defence minister cancels lucrative meeting with Japan, Australia
A defence industry source says the cancellation could cost New Zealand tens or hundreds of millions in potential offshore defence contracts.
Stuff
National stole Labour's KiwiSaver crown. Here’s how they take it back
OPINION: Nicola Willis’ popular policy caught Labour napping on its own signature creation. Now it must up the ante and finish Michael Cullen’s dream.
Stuff
National’s failed coup shows a party that can’t even execute a takeover
If National MPs cannot manage a clean leadership challenge, how can voters trust them to run the country?
Stuff
Simeon Brown says Penk acted alone – but Penk won’t say
Simeon Brown says Chris Penk acted alone in his failed challenge against Luxon but Penk himself declined to comment on whether he was a “stalking horse” for other leadership contenders.
NZ Herald
Watch: Parliament debates Chris Penk sacking after coup attempt
Parliament has been pulled into a debate on Christopher Luxon's leadership.
Newstalk ZB
Watch: Parliament debates Chris Penk sacking after coup attempt
Parliament is debating Prime Minister Christopher Luxon’s decision to sack his Defence Minister Chris Penk.
Stuff
Winston Peters refuses to say if he has confidence in the prime minister
Asked repeatedly by Stuff if he had confidence in the prime minister, Winston Peters walked away without answering yes or no
Otago Daily Times
Peters sidesteps questions over support for Luxon as PM
1News
MPs debate Penk's sacking over failed National leadership coup
"He dared to enact what the rest of the country are asking for, which is a change of prime minister," says one opposition leader.
The Spinoff
What has Chris Penk been up to since getting sacked?
The man who took on Christopher Luxon speaks on The Spinoff politics podcast, Gone By Lunchtime. Nine days ago, Chris Penk was identified as the single rogue element, the solo-coup-mounter within the National Party caucus. Christopher Luxon announced that, having…
Newsroom
Gareth Morgan: Making MMP work means getting rid of the Prime Minister
Comment: New Zealand has a Westminster system of government sitting awkwardly on top of the MMP electoral system. We need another wave of substantial reform. The post Gareth Morgan: Making MMP work means getting rid of the Prime Minister appeared…
NZ Herald
Chris Penk refuses to confirm, deny whether he launched leadership challenge against Christopher Luxon
He has arrived at Parliament for the first time since his sacking.
1News
'Not rehashing': Penk won't confirm or deny leading coup on Luxon
The former minister has refused to shed further light on the failed leadership challenge that cost him his portfolios, saying he is focused on looking forward.
Newstalk ZB
Chris Penk refuses to confirm, deny whether he launched leadership challenge against Christopher Luxon
National MP Chris Penk is refusing to confirm or deny whether Prime Minister Christopher Luxon was right when he alleged Penk launched a leadership challenge against him.
Stuff
Chris Penk arrives back at Parliament – won’t confirm or deny trying to roll PM
Asked by Stuff why he tried to roll the Prime Minister, Penk said he didn’t want to talk about it.
Stuff
Chris Penk: I need to address the elephant in the room
As far as exits from a cabinet go, imagine the top drawer of a bedroom dresser being opened slightly too far, then falling from that furniture onto your slippered foot