'Very constructive conversation': Luxon holds hour-long meeting with Opportunity's Qiulae Wong
New Zealand National Party leader Christopher Luxon held a meeting with Opportunity party leader Qiulae Wong to discuss potential cooperation. While Luxon previously ruled out working with the party, the prospect of a hung Parliament has prompted renewed dialogue between the two leaders.
Why it matters
The potential for a hung Parliament makes minor party negotiations critical to the formation of a stable government in New Zealand.
National's leader Christopher Luxon spent an hour with Opportunity leader Qiulae Wong in his office last night, after repeatedly ruling out working with her party during the campaign.
"We had a very positive, very constructive conversation," Luxon told reporters before National's caucus meeting on Tuesday.
"It was a great opportunity to get to know her and to start to build a relationship together as well."
He called the meeting "really lovely" and pointed to KiwiSaver as one area where the parties agreed.
Asked whether he was open to a governing deal with Opportunity, Luxon pointed first to National's relationship with ACT and New Zealand First, but he also acknowledged the prospect of a hung Parliament on the final count.
"New Zealanders won't thank us for going back to an election and back to the polls again."
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