Luxon rules out NZ First candidate Michael Laws as minister after remarks about Opportunity women

National leader Christopher Luxon has ruled out NZ First candidate Michael Laws serving as a minister in a future government, after Laws made comments about women in the Opportunity Party.

Luxon described the comments as inappropriate, saying they were "stupid, absolutely stupid." RNZ

The remarks were made on 29 October on Laws' online talk show on The Platform. Laws targeted Opportunity Party candidate Kayla Kingdon-Bebb, describing her as "rather severe-looking" and likening her to an officious female primary school teacher. He also made a sexual remark about her, saying "Must be hell dating people like that" and "Can you imagine what it's like post-sex?"

Laws also criticised Opportunity leader Qiulae Wong for a stern, disapproving manner.

NZ First leader Winston Peters said the comments were not acceptable. He said Laws would be told off but would not be sacked as a candidate.

National deputy leader Nicola Willis described the remarks as "disgusting" and "nasty". Green Party co-leader Chloe Swarbrick described them as gross.

The comments were reported by RNZ, the New Zealand Herald and the Otago Daily Times on 3 November 2026.