Luxon formally rules out coalition with Opportunity Party
National leader Christopher Luxon has formally ruled out forming a governing arrangement with the Opportunity Party after the election.
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has formally ruled out any post-election deal with the Opportunity Party, citing their policies on taxes including a universal income and land tax. His office confirmed the statement amounted to a formal ruling out after he told media he wouldn't work with parties wanting to increase taxes. The Opportunity Party leader says her party remains open to conversations, while Labour has not yet declared its position on potential partners. Polling shows the Opportunity Party hovering near the 5% threshold, with recent surveys suggesting a small shift in their support could significantly alter the balance of power in a future Parliament.
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Coverage across the news outlets we track, as at publication.
What outlets are saying
Stuff
Christopher Luxon rules out working with Opportunity
The National Leader came very close to saying he wonât form a governing arrangement with Opportunity – with his office later confirming it âamounted to a formal ruling outâ
NZ Herald
Election 2026: National rules out Opportunity party
'We wouldnât be working them,' the National leader said.
1News
Luxon appears to rule out National working with Opportunity Party
"Well, I'm just saying to you, they want to increase taxes," he told media.
Otago Daily Times
Luxon all but rules out doing 'business' with Opportunity Party
Newstalk ZB
Qiulae Wong: Opportunity Party leader says she's keeping options open after National rules out working with the party
National leader Chris Luxon has ruled out working with the Opportunity Party after the election.
The Spinoff
What we know about the Opportunity Party vote, in six charts
Where supporters come from, the government they want, and how a tiny sliver could completely change the election result. The National Party has ruled out any post-election deal with the Opportunity Party â whether coalition or confidence-and-supply â with ChristopherâŠ
The Spinoff
The Opportunity Party knocks
The party is consistently polling near the 5% threshold and the major parties are starting to have to take a stance on it as a potential coalition partner. But where is that support coming from, and what would it meanâŠ
Newstalk ZB
Andrew Dickens: Was Luxon right to rule out TOP?
So, Christopher Luxon has ruled out working with the Opportunity Party.
Stuff
National closes door on Opportunity, Labour leaves it ajar
Labour leader Chris Hipkins says he is in no rush to declare who his party will and wonât work with following Novemberâs election, after National leader Christopher Luxon formally ruled out a governing arrangement with Opportunity.
Newstalk ZB
Opportunity Party Leader Qiulae Wong joins Nick Mills in the studio
The Opportunity Party leader Qiulae Wong joins Nick Mills in the studio this morning for an explanation on their purpose and policies as election time looms nearer.
1News
'Haphazard' or 'no surprise'? Luxon's Opportunity rule-out under scrutiny
The Prime Minister was pressed by reporters on the issue today at Parliament.
interest.co.nz
'We don't want to do business with parties who want to increase taxes,' Luxon says
'It's a vote for Labour and the Greens' – National doesn't want to work with the Opportunity Party, Christopher Luxon says
NZ Herald
Election 2026: Opportunity Party will get into Parliament, latest Poll of Polls forecasts
It comes as National rules out the party.
BusinessDesk
Ignore the Opportunity Party at your peril
Has the incumbent National-led Government just given the Opportunity Party the necessary oxygen to kick above 5% in the polls by ruling them out? We all saw what happened in 2023 with New Zealand First going from 3% in JulyâŠ