Election 2026: National in disarray over Christopher Luxon’s sudden bombshell MMP comments
The National Party appears to be in disarray over leader Christopher Luxon’s bombshell comment that he wants a referendum on New Zealand’s electoral system, Mixed-Member Proportional, if re-elected.
The Herald asked various National MPs on Thursday if they were aware the leader would announce his desire for a referendum and if it had been through the party’s caucus process.
A variety of different responses included that Luxon hadn’t made an announcement, but had given a “view”, that it was an “announcement” and “position” that had been made “clearly” and also that it wasn’t something the party would be campaigning on.
Meanwhile, Luxon’s coalition partner, New Zealand First leader Winston Peters, is warning there could be consequences for the National leader from his own caucus if they weren’t aware of it prior.
“It means there could be interesting repercussions if you know what I mean ... you can do the interpretation,” Peters told reporters.
Appearing on Newstalk ZB this morning, Luxon was asked by a texter about having another referendum on Mixed-Member Proportional (MMP).
He initially spoke about how New Zealanders have previously chosen MMP as the electoral system.
The National leader went on to say the Government wanted a referendum on whether to extend parliamentary terms from three years to four and then said he was “open” to asking voters whether they were still supportive of MMP.
Asked if he would do so if he was Prime Minister next year, after the upcoming election, Luxon responded: “Yeah, I think I would”.
“I think I would because I actually think, you know, that it is quite right to check in constitutionally and say, ‘Is this the system, New Zealand, you still want?’
“You know, ‘You voted for this in the 90s, we’ve had a check-in in the [20]10s, 20 years down the road or whatever it has been, is it still where you want to be?’”
The Herald was told shortly afterwards that Luxon’s comments had come as a surprise to National Party MPs.
The party’s MPs were later questioned about the leader’s remarks.
Simeon Brown, National’s campaign chair, told reporters that Luxon “gave a view” when asked and there hadn’t been a “formal announcement”.
“He was on radio giving a view ... we’ve always been clear as a party we’re open to a four-year term. Obviously, that raises other questions around the type of our system. He said we are open to having that part of the conversation.”
Repeatedly asked directly if it was National Party policy, Brown didn’t answer.
“As he said on the radio this morning, every 20 years or so we have a conversation about these things. We’re open to a four-year term and as part of that debate and part of that referendum, we might discuss other issues as well.”
Brown wouldn’t say if the policy had been through National’s caucus and walked off.
Simon Watts, a National minister, said he had seen statements from Luxon about the issue.
Asked if that was National policy, Watts said “the position has been outlined clearly by the Prime Minister today in regards to the policies”.
He said he had been making speeches all day but had seen the “announcement”. When he was pushed on whether it was an announcement, Watts said it was a “statement by the Prime Minister”.
Mark Mitchell, another National minister, said Luxon had “shared his view” on a matter.
“In my view, it’s something that’s not relevant for this election, but certainly if we’re successful in being returned to Government, then it’s something to talk about in the next term”.
He denied Luxon was making up policy on the fly but said instead he was asked a question and “shared his thoughts”.
On whether National would follow through on Luxon’s comments, Mitchell said “that’ll be up to the party”.
The National minister said National was “not campaigning on that”.
Mitchell then went on to say: “I haven’t seen the Prime Minister’s comments.”
“Other than the fact that I know he has made a comment and he has shared his opinion around the fact that he thinks the country should have a chance to be able to have a say on MMP and he’s been, from what I understand, he’s been very clear about the fact that would not happen this term.”
National’s Paul Goldsmith said Luxon had been “answering a question” and it “probably makes sense” to look at MMP at the same time as the term length.
“He was asked a question, he answered it and that’s something that we can consider and we’ll get on to that.”
National’s Louise Upston said Luxon was “reflecting conversations that are had by many constituents around the country”.
“There will be lots of things that I don’t know what the Prime Minister’s going to say. He is the Prime Minister.”
Earlier, National’s deputy leader Nicola Willis couldn’t confirm the policy had been through the party’s caucus, when asked by the Herald.
“Well, the Prime Minister is the leader of the National Party,” she said.
“We’ve previously reflected as a party that we think, in future, having a referendum on a four-year term is a good idea to get New Zealanders’ feedback on the electoral system and I think, as I understand it, [Luxon] also expressed interest in getting feedback on MMP.
Asked if she was aware Luxon was going to make the commitment, Willis said: “I was aware that these were views that he held and that we’ve discussed in our caucus and that we’ve discussed with everyday New Zealanders.”
Willis, when asked to comment on Luxon’s surprise announcement in light of last week’s surprise rule-out of the Opportunity Party, believed it was good to have a Prime Minister who “gives you open, honest answers”.
Peters, the NZ First leader, questioned the need for a referendum, given MMP had been supported by voters previously.
“It’s inexplicable. I can’t imagine why it went passed his mind. I’ve travelled this country extensively. No one’s ever raised this issue with me at all.”
He called it a “nonsense issue”.
When it was put to him that it appeared Luxon had announced it without it going through caucus, Peters responded there could be “interesting repercussions” if so.
On a referendum, Act leader David Seymour said he wasn’t opposed but said any change would be unlikely to be implemented until the 2032 or 2035 elections and there were “more urgent problems” to address.
Labour leader Chris Hipkins said Luxon had let Seymour and Peters “run circles around him” and accused Luxon of wanting to change the electoral system because he could not manage the coalition.
“I think what Christopher Luxon is showing is that he has no idea how to manage MMP. He has no idea how to manage his job as Prime Minister.”
Green Party co-leader Marama Davidson said changing MMP was a “self-serving power grab” that would limit voter choice. “If Luxon’s so tired of working with Winston Peters, there’s an easier way than overhauling our entire electoral system: sack him from Cabinet and bring forward the election.
“The Green Party firmly support retaining MMP. New Zealanders deserve to have a Parliament that represents them and only proportional representation ensures that every vote is represented in our democracy.”
Jamie Ensor is the NZ Herald’s chief political reporter, based in the press gallery at Parliament. He was previously a TV reporter and digital producer in the Newshub press gallery office. He was a finalist in 2025 for Political Journalist of the Year at the Voyager Media Awards.