Luxon to attend APEC summit in China in caretaker capacity

Christopher Luxon will attend the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in China in a caretaker capacity, RNZ reports. APEC is a forum of economies around the Pacific Rim that meets to discuss trade and economic cooperation.

The APEC leaders' meeting will take place in Shenzhen on 18 and 19 November. Donald Trump, Xi Jinping and Vladimir Putin are expected to attend.

New Zealand's government is operating under the caretaker convention, the long-standing practice that governs how a government conducts itself while an election result is not yet settled. The government is awaiting special votes before the result is final. Luxon's trip is being made on that basis.

Trade Minister Todd McClay will accompany Luxon to the APEC summit. New Zealand's opposition was consulted on the APEC and East Asia Summit visits.

Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters will attend the East Asia Summit in the Philippines on 16 and 17 November.

There is a recent precedent for a caretaker-period trip to APEC. In 2023, Labour's outgoing trade minister, Damien O'Connor, represented New Zealand at APEC in a caretaker capacity while Luxon focused on forming a government.

New Zealand ministers did not attend the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Antigua and Barbuda earlier this month. Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade officials represented New Zealand there instead.