Christopher Luxon defends taking second plane overseas after criticising Hipkins for the same
New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon is facing criticism for using a backup Defence Force plane for a diplomatic trip, a practice he previously condemned while in opposition. The government maintains that the remote location of the Pacific Islands Forum necessitated the extra aircraft.
Why it matters
The situation highlights political accountability and the consistency of government leaders regarding public spending and environmental optics.
The prime minister is defending the deployment of a second Defence Force plane for his Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) mission, having previously criticised the use of a back-up plane when in opposition.
Christopher Luxon is in Palau for the annual PIF leaders meeting. Both of the RNZAF Boeing 757s have been deployed on the mission, with one staying in Cairns as a back-up.
Luxon said it was a Defence Force decision to take two planes, with 88 people from New Zealand heading to PIF.
"We've taken 14 delegations up here, we've got a lot of people to take home on Sunday as well, and we're taking some home when I go out on Friday as well."
Luxon said connectivity was a big challenge at PIF, and he had talked about the importance of connectivity at the realm leaders' meeting with Tokelau, Niue, and the Cook Islands last week.
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