Christopher Luxon says ruling out working with Opportunity Party 'not a surprise'
New Zealand National Party leader Christopher Luxon has formally ruled out working with the Opportunity Party, citing their extreme tax policies. Luxon dismissed the party's claims of being a potential kingmaker, while the Opportunity Party leader suggested the stance could change if the National Party faces the prospect of opposition.
Why it matters
This clarifies the political landscape and coalition possibilities ahead of New Zealand's elections, impacting voter strategy and party alliances.
Christopher Luxon says nobody should be surprised by his call to rule out working with the Opportunity Party - despite the new position being revealed without notice at the very end of a media conference.
In response to a question at his usual Monday briefing, Luxon said he could not work with Opportunity due to its advocacy for a land tax. He declined to give a direct yes-or-no answer, but his office later confirmed that amounted to a formal rule-out.
Previously when asked, the National leader would say only that a vote for Opportunity looked "like a vote for Labour and the Greens" and that he had not "given them any thought".
Speaking to reporters on Tuesday, Luxon insisted the party's position had been discussed among National's caucus and board "for several months".
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