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Māori seats don’t ‘make a lot of sense’ – Christopher Luxon

Published

4 years ago

January 25, 2023

Fresh off using his platform at this week’s Rātana celebrations to criticise the government’s approach to co-governance with Māori, National Party leader Christopher Luxon is taking aim at Parliament’s Māori seats.

But despite saying their existence “doesn’t make a lot of sense”, National will still be looking at standing candidates in “at least one or two of them”.

At Rātana on Tuesday, Luxon – who began his speech in te reo Māori, making use of lessons he started in 2022 – accused the government of allowing a “divisive and immature” debate to develop around its plans for co-governance in areas like water management and the delivery of health services.

The government’s view has been that it is fulfilling obligations to Māori under the Treaty, and hoping to improve outcomes. Incoming Prime Minister Chris Hipkins on Tuesday pointed to various Treaty deals struck by previous National-led governments as containing examples of co-governance, asking which Luxon would “go back on” if elected in October.

Speaking to RNZ’s Morning Report on Wednesday, Luxon accused Labour of changing the meaning of the word.

“You can’t just take a word ‘co-governance’ and now all of a sudden, by not being transparent as a government as Labour has been, and start to morph it into meaning something else.”

He said National MPs who struck historic Treaty deals “made the case, they took people with them and it led to generosity of spirit on both sides and actually something we should be incredibly proud about in New Zealand”.

“Co-governance or co-management arrangements we’ve had in the past in the context of local iwi working with local government on the management of local natural resources in the context of Treaty settlements have been, by and large, really successful and something we should be really proud about.

“But now we start to talk about, increasingly in Wellington over the last few years – and again, it’s confusing – about co-governance and separate systems for the delivery of public services, and that’s just something that is very different – and from my point of view there’s a principled objection to that around the fact that there’s one government, public services are designed to deliver for people in need across all of New Zealand.

“The model I want to use is actually massive deployment and delivery of those services through Māori iwi community organisations, but within the coherence of one system. On the other hand, frankly, is the build-up of massive bureaucracies in Wellington.”

‘Doesn’t make a lot of sense’

Morning Report host Guyon Espiner asked Luxon about the Māori seats, which are open to candidates of any ethnicity but since their creation in 1867 have been intended to guarantee some level of Māori representation in parliament.

“Historically, that has been something that we’ve said – look, one person one vote – that doesn’t make a lot of sense in our view,” Luxon replied.

“But the reality is, being quite pragmatic… the Māori seats have been present in our system for some time. They’re not going away.”

Eligible voters actually have two votes in New Zealand general elections – one for a party, the other a candidate – and being on the Māori electoral roll doesn’t actually entitle someone to more votes than a voter on the general roll.

Luxon said the National Party’s historical opposition to Māori seats in parliament and local government is the “logical conclusion” of believing in “one person, one vote, all equal under the law”.

But he said the “pragmatic” move this year was to stand candidates in them anyway, and denied this was inconsistent with opposition to co-governance.

“It is utterly consistent.”

Co-governance focus at Rātana was appropriate, Luxon says

Questioned by reporters in Auckland this afternoon, Luxon was challenged over his focus on co-governance at Rātana, where politics typically gives way to ceremony.

He said the matter was of national importance, and had been raised with him – he had been challenged at the paepae to stop being afraid of co-governance.

“I did need to raise that issue bcause it was raised with me on the marae from the other side and it was done respectfully and it was done in an appropriate way and I actually want to model out to New Zealand and to the rest of us how we can have intelligent and proper, grown-up conversations without anyone just jumping to reflexive positions without calling so-and-so names.

“I also felt it would be disingenuous of me to stand there – when I’m trying to build a relationship with Rātana – not to sasy what I felt … I was trying to lay out the context.”

He also took pains to clarify what he understood co-governance to mean.

“We’ve understood the word co-governance to mean local government working with local iwi on the management of local natural resources in the context of Treaty settlements,” he said.

“What we’ve seen is that word has been taken and put into a completely different context with the creation of what would actually be separate and different delivery of public services. We do not want two systems of health, two education systems, two justice systems.

“Those issues that are of national importance in the delivery of public services are very different from localism and devolution where there is good partnership happening, and actually excellent results being achieved in the co-management or co-governance of local natural assets in the context of Treaty settlements.”

Hipkins dismisses concerns

In his speech at Rātana on Tuesday, Hipkins said there were fears in the 1990s his local park would be closed when it was placed under a co-governance arrangement as part of a Treaty settlement – but that never came to pass, and “facilities at the park are [now] better than they ever have been”.

“Race relations should not ever be used as an issue to divide New Zealanders with,” he told media. “Certainly in the past it has been.”

His first Cabinet meeting as prime minister will take place after a swearing-in ceremony around lunchtime Tuesday. He has hinted at rolling back some of the government’s agenda to focus on the cost-of-living crisis and inflation.

Latest News

Police say person who fired gun at officers still at large

Published

3 days ago

November 12, 2026

News Staff

Police say a person who fired a gun at officers in Napier is still at large.

Eastern District Commander Superintendent Joel Lamb said Police tried to stop a vehicle in the Pirimai Area at about 10pm on Tuesday.

He said someone in the back seat pointed what was presumed to be a firearm at officers pursuing the vehicle.

“Staff have then heard two distinct gunshots as the firearm was discharged.

“Fortunately, neither of our officers were injured, and the patrol vehicle did not sustain any damage.”

He said hours later, the vehicle was seen travelling north on the Waikato Expressway towards Auckland.

Police seized the vehicle at an address in Manurewa, but they had not found the alleged offender.

Lamb said people who lived at the Manurewa address were engaging with Police.

He said Eastern District and Counties Manukau Police were making enquiries.

“Presenting a firearm at a Police officer is a serious escalation that puts our staff and the wider community at risk. This behaviour is entirely unacceptable.

“We are taking this incident extremely seriously and will be pursuing all lines of enquiry to locate the offender and hold them accountable.”

Police asked anyone who witnessed the incident to contact Police on 105 or online using the reference number 261111/3764.

Information could also be provided anonymously via Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.

rnz

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New Zealand sides named for RLWC finals

Published

4 days ago

November 11, 2026

News Staff

The players tasked with ending Australia’s Rugby League World Cup dominance have been named.

The Kiwis and Kiwi Ferns have announced their squads for this Sunday’s World Cup finals in Brisbane.

Both sides are chasing their first titles since 2008, and both are looking to end their opponents run of three crowns in a row.

“Our Kiwi Ferns have been so dominant in years gone by, and we want to bring dominance back to this jersey, so I think it will be a case of who wants it more,” said co-captain Georgia Hale of the impending clash.

The Kiwis get a major boost for the final as they welcome back Ronaldo Mulitalo after he served a one-match ban for a high tackle against Fiji Bati.

Mulitalo replaces Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, who moves to the six-man bench, which again includes utility Te Maire Martin, middle forwards Naufahu Whyte, Erin Clark and Xavier Willison plus fullback Keano Kini.

Loose forward Joseph Tapine will make his 30th Test appearance in a familiar pack again, including second-rowers Isaiah Papali’i and Briton Nikora, and props James Fisher-Harris and Moses Leota.

Winger Jamayne Isaako is on the cusp of claiming the New Zealand record for most Test points.

His five goals against Tonga lifted his career points tally to 225 – level with Shaun Johnson – while centre Casey McLean goes into the final with 16 tries in just eight Tests.

Fisher-Harris will again captain the team.

Fullback Ponga said the goal of the group was clear.

“We have high expectations around what we want to achieve, and obviously winning a world Cup is one of them.”

Meanwhile, Ricky Henry has selected a settled side to take on the Jillaroos, led by their lethal centre combination of Stacey Waaka and Mele Hufanga.

Veteran Apii Nicholls takes the number one jersey, Leianne Tufuga and Mackenzie Wiki on the wings.

Henry has stuck with his halves pairing of Chantay Kiria-Ratu and Raecene McGregor with Alexis Tauaneai, Georgia Hale and Otesa Pule up front.

Rounding out the starting pack is Shaniece Monschau, Kaiyah Atai, and Angelina Teakaraanga-Katoa.

“We have been building well throughout the tournament; we understand the Jillaroos side, and will give it our all to make New Zealand proud this weekend,” said Henry.

RLWC Finals:

Kiwi Ferns vs Jillaroos- 6.10pm

Kiwis vs Kangaroos – 9.35pm

Sunday November 15

Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane

Live blog updates on RNZ

Kiwi Ferns:

1. Apii Nicholls 2. Leianne Tufuga 3. Mele Hufanga 4. Stacey Waaka 5. Mackenzie Wiki 6. Chantay Kiria-Ratu 7. Raecene McGregor 8. Alexis Tauaneai 9. Georgia Hale 10. Otesa Pule 11. Shaniece Monschau 12. Kaiyah Atai 13. Angelina Teakaraanga-Katoa.

Interchange: 14. Ashleigh Quinlan 15. Annessa Biddle 16. Shannon Mato 17. Ivana Lauitiiti.

Reserves: 18. Brooke Anderson 19. Zahara Temara 20. Brianna Clark 21. Abigail Roache 22. Tenika Willison.

Kiwis:

1. Kalyn Ponga, 2. Jamayne Isaako, 3. Dane Gagai, 4. Casey McLean, 5. Ronaldo Mulitalo, 6. Kodi Nikorima, 7. Jahrome Hughes, 8. James Fisher-Harris (c), 9. Jeremy Marshall-King, 10. Moses Leota, 11. Isaiah Papali’i, 12. Briton Nikora, 13. Joseph Tapine (v/c).

Interchange: 14. Te Maire Martin, 15. Naufahu Whyte, 16. Erin Clark, 17. Xavier Willison.

Reserves: 18. Keano Kini, 19. Phoenix Crossland, 20. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, 21. Scott Sorensen, 22. Leo Thompson.

rnz

Latest News

Parliamentary Service working on extra chairs and offices for increased number of MPs

Published

4 days ago

November 11, 2026

News Staff

The chief executive of the Parliamentary Service is confident there will be enough room to accommodate the increased number of MPs and their staff coming into Parliament.

On current numbers, up to 131 MPs could be sitting in the Chamber following the election, brought on by a record overhang result.

Clerk of the House of Representatives Dr David Wilson told the Spinoff that currently the debating chamber had enough chairs to seat 124 MPs – including the Speaker of the House – and work was being done to accommodate more by altering the seating arrangement.

In a statement, Parliamentary Service chief executive Rafael Gonzalez-Montero said planning for a larger Parliament had been going for “some time”.

“Now that the election results have confirmed an increase to the number of members we are looking at several options.

“We are confident we will be able to accommodate all members within the Chamber.”

Chief Executive of the Parliamentary Service Rafael Gonzalez-Montero appears before select committee. — Parliamentary Service chief executive Rafael Gonzalez-Montero.

VNP / Phil Smith

Gonzalez-Montero said office accommodation for members and their staff would be “stretched” for a short time, but the new Members’ Building was only a few months away from “practical completion”.

That building – located behind Parliament – was due to be ready to occupy in April next year and had capacity to accommodate around 30 backbench MPs.

“All members should be in fit-for-purpose accommodation from that point,” Gonzalez-Montero said.

Following the 2023 election, 123 MPs sat in the Chamber – a record number at the time. That decreased to 122 following the resignation of National MP Judith Collins.

Collins held the seat of Papakura and stepped down in May and Parliament voted against holding a by-election because it was too close to the election.

The election result also meant high-ranking National Party MPs like Chris Bishop, Paul Goldsmith, Nicola Willis and Gerry Brownlee – Speaker of the House and an MP for 30 years – would likely not make it back into Parliament.

Only resigning or retiring MPs were permitted to give a valedictory speech meaning none of them would get the chance to give a valedictory statement.

Asked if their would be special allowances for valedictories, Wilson said in a statement that normally only MPs were allowed to speak in the House but the House could suspend its own rules or temporarily alter them.

“It could do so to allow former members to address the House.”

Wilson said no such arrangements could be made until the next Parliament opened and members sworn in.

rnz