Latest News

Christopher Luxon commits to flying commercial if elected

Published

3 years ago

June 27, 2023

Opposition leader Christopher Luxon says he will not use Defence Force planes to travel internationally if elected as prime minister.

He says the Defence Force’s 757s are well past their use-by date, and Prime Minister Chris Hipkins’ delegation to China should have flown commercial.

The criticism follows news the Defence Force was providing a second plane as a backup in case the one sent to China broke down. The second flight travelled to the Philippines before returning to Australia.

“What I’d say is it’s very obvious that they are unreliable in spite of the great work of our air force who manage to keep them well maintained and safe, but the second thing is they are unreliable,” Luxon told reporters on Tuesday morning.

“We are in a recession that this government created and it would be inappropriate for us to actually commit and spend new money on planes in a recession, and therefore my personal view is we travel commercial.

“What I’d say to you, there’s a whole bunch of options – you know, commercial travel; charter travel – there’s a whole range of other options available to the New Zealand government.”

He was asked whether that meant he was committing to flying commercial for international travel if National won the election.

“That’s what I’m saying,” he said. “We’re in the middle of a recession, I wish you’d probably pay a little bit more attention to what has happened in the last week.”

Hipkins’ trip to China includes the travel to Beijing, to Tianjin, back to Beijing and a stop in Shanghai before returning to New Zealand. A spokesperson said the Air Force planes were far cheaper to use than a commercial charter – and had other benefits such as security.

Luxon argued flying the more than 80 people – MPs, staff, about 30 business leaders, and journalists – on chartered or commercial flights would be cheaper than maintaining the planes.

“[That’s] not more expensive [than] maintaining the current aircraft that we’ve got. You know, we’re spending tens of millions of dollars – almost $100m has been spent on maintenance versus doing a charter operation or something else, for the four or five times a prime minister goes overseas.”

Acting Prime Minister Carmel Sepuloni said flying commercially to China would have been more expensive.

“It certainly would have been more expensive if we’d gone commercial, and there’s a long history of leaders taking delegations including business delegations on these trips going back to the 1990s, so it would be out of step to change that.

“Not fiscally prudent, and also just out of step with what leaders have done in the past – mind you, you’d have to be a leader to make that choice. He [Luxon] may not get that opportunity.”

The $100m includes more than $70m spent between October 2017 and July last year for the NZDF’s two 757s, and a further $33m since.

The aircraft are also used for operations including transporting troops and supplies, training pilots, and should be flown regularly as part of maintenance, as long-term groundings can affect their airworthiness. They are now about 30 years old, but not due to be replaced in 2028-2030.

Luxon rejected suggestions that a Defence Force flight allowed greater flexibility.

“There’s other options, there’s charter options for example, there’s commercial arrangements, there’s other ways in which you can manage that within a visit. All I’m just saying to you is these are ancient aircraft, they shouldn’t be flying, they’re well past their use-by date.”

He said he had been on trade delegations in the past and never travelled on the 757 if possible, “because I can go direct flight in a much quicker way”.

Replacing the planes would not be a priority for a National government however, he said.

“We are now in a recession and this will not be a priority in my government, so the reality is whether you like it or not, we travel commercial, we charter aircraft, we do a whole bunch of other arrangements that are possible to be able to do that,” Luxon said.

He said he supported Hipkins’ trip, however.

“Foreign policy, particularly with respect to China, we’ve got a long-standing relationship of over 50 years that’s characterised by mutual respect, consistently collaborating on areas that we can work together, but also raising our respective concerns. So I’m expecting it to be a very constructive meeting, very supportive of the prime minister being there, I think it’s important that he is there representing New Zealand.”

VIA RNZ

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

Latest News

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