At Monday’s post‑Cabinet press conference, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Finance Minister Nicola Willis sought to steady nerves after a difficult week for the Government, addressing questions about leadership, poor polling and the rising cost of petrol amid conflict in the Middle East.
Luxon insisted clear communication is “absolutely” important for a prime minister, but pushed back against what he described as an overemphasis on polls. “New Zealanders out there are not talking about polls. They want to know about the economy and what we’re doing to fix it,” he said, framing his focus on delivery rather than polish.
The Prime Minister acknowledged last week “wasn’t the perfect week” but rejected suggestions he had discussed his leadership with party members, saying: “I can assure you I’ll be the leader going into the election on November 7.” He did confirm, however, that he had raised the poll results in passing with ministers during routine discussions.
Luxon portrayed himself as a results‑driven leader who will not trade substance for soundbites. “I’m not a career politician. I’m not going to have the perfect sound bite,” he said, adding that voters want governments that deliver, not just leaders who communicate well.
Standing alongside Luxon, Nicola Willis echoed the Government’s priority on economic stability while addressing immediate concerns about petrol prices following the Iran conflict. Willis announced she will chair a new ministerial oversight group on economic security, tasked with monitoring fuel and supply chains and coordinating the Government’s response to international shocks. “As a government, we need to focus on controlling what we can control,” Luxon said.
On the question of cutting the fuel tax to ease pump prices, Willis was cautious. She said the Government is not currently considering a fuel‑tax cut, warning that “short‑term gain could lead to longer‑term pain.” Willis pointed to the fiscal cost of borrowing and the risk of undermining infrastructure projects funded by the fuel tax — including a planned 12‑cent per litre rise next year that has not yet been legislated. Cabinet, she said, will be “mindful” of the cost of fuel before any decision.
Willis also reassured the public that New Zealand is not facing a fuel shortage, citing a national fuel plan and robust stock levels: up to 28 days on hand and a further 29 days en route. The Government will continue to monitor trade disruption and shipping risks, including the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, which could push up global freight and fuel costs.
Both ministers sought to shift attention from political turbulence to policy: Luxon on team building and delivery, Willis on contingency planning and fiscal caution — a message aimed at reassuring voters ahead of a testing election year.
