Luxon defends leadership after senior National MPs lose seats

Christopher Luxon has defended his leadership of the National Party after several senior members lost their seats at the election. He told reporters on Sunday that he took responsibility for the loss of four senior figures from his team. RNZ

Nicola Willis, Chris Bishop, Paul Goldsmith and Gerry Brownlee are no longer in National's ranks. Their departure leaves a gap that includes about 20 ministerial portfolios and the Speakership, the role that presides over debate in Parliament.

Luxon said National has the most seats in Parliament and has been given a pathway to government. He argued that National had performed well given global trends affecting governments already in office, and cited a fuel price of $3.60.

Luxon said the loss of key MPs would be tough to take for himself and the party, as well as for their staff and families. Stuff On election night he paid tribute to many National MPs who appeared to have lost their seats, including outgoing MPs Melissa Lee and Nancy Lu. Stuff He also denied snubbing Chris Bishop in his election speech. RNZ

On coalition talks, Luxon said serious negotiations between parties would not begin until final election results are released on 27 November. He said he might speak informally with other party leaders before then.

Luxon also said it was appropriate to build a relationship with Qiulae Wong and the Opportunity party, although he had ruled out working with it during the election campaign. He said it was highly unlikely National would need Opportunity's support to govern. Preliminary results suggest National could continue its coalition with ACT and New Zealand First.

ACT leader David Seymour said his party was planning for two scenarios: one in which the existing coalition can govern, and one in which it needs Opportunity. Seymour said he had not spoken to the other party leaders on Sunday.