Christopher Luxon calls out NZ First's Stuart Nash on 'sexist' comment
New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has condemned comments made by NZ First candidate Stuart Nash regarding a National MP's maternity leave as sexist. Nash labeled the MP 'the laziest' he had ever encountered, sparking a debate over workplace culture and motherhood.
Why it matters
The exchange underscores ongoing political tensions regarding gender, workplace flexibility, and the professional treatment of women in politics.
The Prime Minister says comments by New Zealand First candidate Stuart Nash about a National MP's maternity leave are "sexist", and he along with his party are "channelling the manosphere".
"He's had a history of making very derogatory comments around women over many years," says Christopher Luxon.
"Every woman in the country would understand that those comments are sexist and they're grossly inappropriate."
The MP in question, Katie Nimon, has laughed off the comments saying she's achieved more with National for Hawke's Bay in three years "with a baby" than Nash has in nine years.
"You can be a mum, and work and achieve great things," she told the Debating chamber on Wednesday.
On the Cross Party Lines podcast, former National minister Chris Finlayson revealed Nash had sent him a text saying the MP for Napier, Katie Nimon, was the "laziest MP" he'd ever come across.
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