Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has emphatically rejected speculation about his leadership, insisting today that he is “absolutely not” considering stepping down despite a new poll showing support for the National Party plunging to its lowest level in more than four years.
Luxon made the comments in a live interview with Newstalk ZB after the latest Taxpayers’ Union–Curia poll put National at 28.4 percent, a nearly three‑point drop from last month and the party’s weakest result since 2021.
The Prime Minister told the broadcaster that all his ministers had assured him they continued to back him, dismissing rumours of internal pressure.
The RNZ report earlier today noted that Luxon was facing heightened scrutiny following a difficult week in which he struggled to articulate the government’s position on the Iran conflict, adding fuel to political speculation.
Despite this, Luxon said the “only thing” he was focused on was “the future of our children and grandchildren,” stressing that he still believed he had the skills to lead both the National Party and the country.
A separate report from Reuters described the poll results as the ruling party’s worst polling performance in over four years, noting that Luxon is no longer the public’s preferred prime minister—a symbolic blow less than eight months out from the November general election. The Reuters analysis found support for National’s coalition partners, New Zealand First and ACT, also slipping as the centre‑left Labour bloc gains ground.
Luxon, however, pushed back strongly against mounting speculation, insisting there is “no problem” with his leadership and that the public polling does not align with National’s internal numbers. He also said he had not set any threshold at which he would consider resigning, emphasising that he retains the full confidence of his caucus.
The Otago Daily Times reported that senior National ministers were today rallying behind the Prime Minister, saying there was “no need to panic” despite the political fallout. Finance Minister Nicola Willis acknowledged the result was “not acceptable” but reiterated her support for Luxon’s leadership.
Asked whether he was shaken by the poll, Luxon said the media had “gotten carried away” and that he appeared on radio specifically to dispel rumours that he was contemplating standing down. “No, I’m not doing that,” he told Newstalk ZB.
With the government facing a weakening economy, rising unemployment and growing public dissatisfaction, the coming months will determine whether Luxon’s insistence on staying the course can stabilise his leadership—or whether today’s poll marks the start of a deeper political crisis.
