Christopher Luxon, New Zealand Prime Minister 2023

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Forums › Politics › Christopher Luxon, New Zealand Prime Minister 2023

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#3481030 15-Apr-2026 13:55

SaltyNZ: [Bishop] certainly tried to, although I remain highly dubious about opening up more land around Drury/Pukekohe for a number of reasons. But he's been really let down by Luxon who has caved to pressure from his NIMBY constituents - and probably himself to be honest - who are appalled that their leafy suburbs might have to house people with a less than seven figure net worth.

I'm not sure that income gap thing is an actual issue. A small family apartment in most places is pretty near 70% of seven figures. Apartments in high net worth suburbs and grammar zones I think you're referring to look different and are going to cost a lot more. I drive past a few. They look like pretty quiet places. In many cases I suspect it's retired people cashing out and staying local with low maintenance, and a few families and younger people. Probably a nice mix for the residents.

sen8or

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#3481035 15-Apr-2026 14:07

its fair to say they wouldn't want land opened up for social housing, but given the likely land cost, the Govt could house double or more quantity of houses in outlying areas vs the leafy suburbs so for a "bang for your buck" perspective makes sense to house as many as possible

gzt

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#3481135 15-Apr-2026 17:39

Luxon seems close to increasing max vehicle weights claiming maximum vehicle loading weights are a non-essential regulatory barrier to fuel efficiency.

Video: Luxon: (2 27) "Our government is also exploring options for removing non-essential regulatory barriers to help improve fuel efficiency" (2:43) "These proposals include common sense things like allowing heavy vehicles to carry heavier loads"

That does not sound like common sense or non-essential regulation. In an emergency situation, maybe. It would be difficult to get that genie back in the bottle once it's on the road. I'd assume Luxon has no intention of putting it back. I'm guessing there are very few well maintained corridors built to the new standard. That means a large future commitment to road updating and maintenance, if it goes through. Potentially they might come up with some 'rated roads' concept to limit the issues to major corridors.

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#3481143 15-Apr-2026 18:47

gzt: Luxon seems close to increasing max vehicle weights claiming maximum vehicle loading weights are a non-essential regulatory barrier to fuel efficiency.

However they are an essential regulatory barrier to not tearing up our roads.

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sen8or

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#3481528 17-Apr-2026 10:24

Another article predicting the impending demise of Luxon

https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/politics/christopher-luxon-evaded-mp-who-tried-to-tell-him-of-flagging-support-faces-possible-challenge-this-fortnight-sources/CVCFDGUEYJHO3DVBSPZ3FPVX3Y/

I do have to love the expression on Bishop's face in the picture they've used on the article, but I do believe Bishop when he says he won't be leader this side of the election. Hes not new to politics and lessons would (should) have been learned from prior instances where a change in leader in the lead up to an election hasn't gone well, both for National and the new leader. National simply don't have anyone with the charisma of Ardern that they could wheel out to try and stem the flow of bad public sentiment (and it wouldn't be a stretch to compare the charisma of Luxon to that of Andrew Little who was doing equally dire in the polls when she took over).

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#3481544 17-Apr-2026 11:33

National's polling seems ok and not the basis for a change. Governments usually poll low and get it back with the advantage when they start campaigning. Latest poll:

Labour 36%
National 29%
New Zealand First 15%.
Act 8%
Greens 7%
Opportunity 2.3%
Te Pāti Māori 1.9%

https://www.stuff.co.nz/politics/360965723/new-zealand-first-soars-greens-plummet-new-poll-national-20s-again

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#3481546 17-Apr-2026 11:45

I can't believe NZ First - of all the minor parties - is doing so well 🤔

gzt

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#3481549 17-Apr-2026 11:59

The All Black effect? Taine Randell is standing for NZ First.

quickymart

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#3481551 17-Apr-2026 12:20

LOL, Brian Tamaki. I wonder if he'll waste his time (and his money) running again this year?

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#3481577 17-Apr-2026 14:26

quickymart:

LOL, Brian Tamaki. I wonder if he'll waste his time (and his money) running again this year?

Let's hope so.

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sen8or

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#3481581 17-Apr-2026 15:09

I know its too much to hope for, but lets hope we get some positive campaigning with policy at the forefront rather than fear mongering (from all sides)

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gzt

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#3481844 18-Apr-2026 11:52

Reading Nathan Surendran's substack after a profile in NZ Geo. This substack headline does encapsulate some of my feelings:

"Every Country in Our Supply Chain Has Declared an Emergency. NZ just launched an Ad Campaign."

I'm guessing there is detailed planning work taking place. Luxon has occasionally hinted at it. The government could do a better job of transparency on the high level detail of that work. The rather stupid coup thing really is a distraction. Any change of leader around now to someone nobody voted for would doom National to irrelevance.

Ge0rge

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#3481957 18-Apr-2026 16:20

I like how you think there is detailed planning occuring. That's cute.

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#3481958 18-Apr-2026 16:28

Ge0rge: I like how you think there is detailed planning occuring. That's cute.

Luxon somewhere near the start of this issue said there is planning occuring around each level of the fuel plan. I see no reason to disbelieve that statement. At the moment no one outside the government has any knowledge about what has been achieved in that area.