Luxon unsure about coalition by Christmas as Labour rules out Mongrel Mob pledge
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon says he is unsure whether a coalition could be formed by Christmas. He made no promises about securing an agreement by then.
Mr Luxon spoke in his weekly interview as prime minister on RNZ Morning Report on 18 October, with the election campaign under way. Labour was also scheduled to make a policy announcement that morning, according to RNZ.
Labour has refused to back a pledge to ‘restore’ Mongrel Mob mana. Te Pāti Māori candidate Oriini Kaipara had vowed to restore ‘mana’ to the Mongrel Mob during a gang pad visit, according to the NZ Herald.
Te Pāti Māori and Green MPs had met with the Mongrel Mob and posed for photos during the campaign. Te Pāti Māori president Kiri Tamihere-Waititi called the backlash to that hui ‘manufactured outrage’, according to Newstalk ZB.
Independent Te Tai Tonga MP Tākuta Ferris says he will not support a Luxon-led government. He left open what he would do if the left falls short at the election, according to 1News.
Labour leader Chris Hipkins has raised concerns about the Electoral Commission’s enrolment efforts ahead of the vote, according to the NZ Herald.
Voters go to the polls on election day on 7 November.
