Only a slim majority of New Zealanders believe Christopher Luxon wields the most influence on Government decisions as the prime minister versus his coalition partners Winston Peters and David Seymour.
It comes after a surprising poll result last night, which would’ve resulted in a Labour-led coalition regaining power had it played out at an election.
In the 1News Verian Poll, voters were also asked: “Which of the party leaders do you think has the most influence on Government decisions?”
Around 51% responded with the prime minister, while about 49% did not.
Out of those who didn’t believe the National leader was in control, 23% believed New Zealand First’s Winston Peters had the most influence, 10% said ACT’s David Seymour was in charge, whilst 17% said they didn’t know who was behind the wheel.
Luxon has faced the heat in recent months as his coalition partners raised eyebrows around Parliament for their remarks.
Yesterday, Seymour said the prime minister wouldn’t be able to “unilaterally” sack an ACT minister without first consulting him. Earlier this month, Luxon said comments by NZ First’s Shane Jones and Seymour criticising the Waitangi Tribunal were “ill-considered”.
Labour leader Chris Hipkins reiterated an electioneering slogan earlier today, suggesting the “coalition of chaos” was causing the coalition government’s poll slide.
“The overall public consensus certainly is that Christopher Luxon isn’t fully in control of his government. I think that’s very obvious,” he said.
“We’ve got a Government that day-by-day just seems to get more and more shambolic. You’ve got the Deputy Prime Minister, the incoming Deputy Prime Minister and the Prime Minister regularly at odds in the public.”
He added: “I think it’s a reflection that New Zealanders are dissatisfied by this Government. The change they’re getting is not the change that they were promised. What we’ve seen from this Government is just the day-to-day litany of chaos.”
The Government is ‘dangerously united’ – Seymour
Responding to criticism yesterday, Seymour said: “If I agreed with every critic out there, I wouldn’t get any work done in health, or education, or finance, or cutting red tape.”
“Some people would say that he’s undermining me or I’m undermining him, and actually, I don’t listen to either of those people.”
He added: “We are dangerously united from the point of view of our opponents.
“This coalition is united against really tough economic headwinds that nearly every family and business in this country feels today. We are united in getting behind them to fix the economic legacy we inherited.”
Luxon said he believed the coalition was working “incredibly well”.
“We’re very united on our agenda, which is about rebuilding the economy, restoring law and order, and delivering better health and education.”
Luxon added: “We have a three-party coalition government — it’s new and different for New Zealanders. But what New Zealanders can be reassured about is there is massive unity and single-minded purpose around delivering for New Zealanders.
“That’s what they’re crying out for.
“I can tell you all three parties in the coalition government are very focused on rebuilding the economy, restoring law and order, and delivering better health and education.”
Meanwhile, New Zealand First leader Winston Peters responded to yesterday’s poll results, telling media earlier today: “I’ve been here for a long time and I’ve got a political science degree. Your polls are not worth the air or the words they’re written on.”