From NZ Herald · · 2m
Simeon Brown rules out Opportunity after Luxon appears to rule party
National Party clarifies stance on Opportunity Party coalition after Luxon's remarks.
In brief
National Party clarifies stance on Opportunity Party coalition after Luxon's remarks. National Party leader Christopher Luxon appeared to suggest working with Opportunity Party but National campaign chair Simeon Brown confirmed they will not form a coalition with Opportunity. Originally reported by NZ Herald.
Luxon's remarks
Christopher Luxon appeared to suggest working with Opportunity Party to ensure a second term after election.
“There’s no value giving it [the party vote] to Act, there’s no value giving it to New Zealand First, you’re not helping me”
National's position
National Party has consistently ruled out coalition with Opportunity Party, focusing on Act and NZ First.
“We’ve been very clear as the National Party, we’re not doing a deal with the Opportunity Party”
Luxon's clarification
Luxon's office stated he was referring to MPs from NZ First and Act, not Opportunity Party.
“The pm was referring to mp from nzf and act”
Paul Goldsmith's stance
MP Paul Goldsmith confirmed National will not work with Opportunity Party, calling it a vote for the left.
“TOP are to the left of the greens. The prime minister has been very clear … a vote for top is a vote for the left”
Simeon Brown's response
Simeon Brown stated National will not form coalition with Opportunity Party to avoid risking their vote.
“We’ve been very clear we’re not going to work with the opportunity party”
Luxon's campaign focus
Luxon emphasized working with whoever necessary to ensure a second term while campaigning on West Coast.
“I’ll make it work with whoever i have to to ensure a second term”
Political context
Most polls indicate National needs Opportunity Party support to govern after election.
“With most polls showing national would need the support of opportunity to govern”
National's vote strategy
National Party warns that voting for Opportunity Party risks their own electoral success.
“A vote for top puts that at risk”
Luxon's office clarification
Luxon's chief press secretary confirmed he was referring to NZ First and Act, not Opportunity Party.
“The pm was referring to mp from nzf and act”
Simeon Brown's emphasis
Simeon Brown repeated National's position five times in 90 seconds to clarify stance.
“We’ve been very clear as the national party, we’re not doing a deal with the opportunity party”
Political debate
National Party faces pressure to clarify coalition strategy after Luxon's ambiguous remarks.
“Luxon’s remarks appeared to refer to the controversy around deliberately splitting votes”
Opposition stance
Opposition leaders warn that Opportunity Party could shift political alliances to the left.
“TOP are to the left of the greens”
Coalition implications
National Party's coalition strategy remains focused on Act and NZ First for post-election governance.
“We’ve been very clear we’ll work with act and nz first”
Luxon's position
Luxon has repeatedly ruled out working with Opportunity Party despite recent comments.
“Luxon has repeatedly ruled out working with the opportunity party”
Political fallout
Luxon's remarks sparked debate about coalition strategy and party alignment after election.
“Luxon’s remarks appeared to refer to the controversy around deliberately splitting votes”
National's commitment
National Party remains committed to its coalition strategy with Act and NZ First post-election.
“We’ve been very clear we’ll work with act and nz first”
What it means
National Party leader Christopher Luxon appeared to suggest working with Opportunity Party but National campaign chair Simeon Brown confirmed they will not form a coalition with Opportunity.
