PM: Time to ‘wrap up’ Treaty bill and move on

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon declares it’s time to “wrap it up”, referring to the Treaty Principles Bill, and move on.

Speaking on Pacific Mornings, Luxon describes the bill as an ACT-driven exercise that has run its course and is no longer worth Parliament’s time.

“It was something that was very important to the ACT Party,” Luxon says.

“They wanted a full national referendum on it - the National Party didn't want anything to do with it, and for a number of reasons.

“As I said, we'd support it at the first reading, but we won't support it at the second reading.

“This Bill has come back out of the select committee and it will be voted down and we can wrap it up and move on to things that Kiwis are more interested in.”

More than 300,000 people submitted the Bill, with 90 per cent opposed to it.

The Bill will have its second reading on Thursday at 3pm, local time.

ACT Party leader David Seymour has defended his Treaty Principles Bill. Photo/Supplied

No show, no worries and shrugging off the poll drop

Luxon confirms he will not be in Parliament for the Bill’s final debate.

“I'm typically not in Wellington on Thursdays; in fact, most weeks, I'm not. The reason is that I've got a big economic speech to give, but I will be available to media to talk about it as well.”

A recent One News Varian poll reveals the National Party dipping behind Labour and Luxon’s personal approval rating falling. Still, he remains ahead of Labour leader Chris Hipkins in the preferred Prime Minister rankings.

Luxon denies speculation about being booted from the role as the leader of the National party.

“We've got an awesome team,” he adds. “We've got a government that's just very focused on the task.”

Watch Christopher Luxon's full interview below.

Rising global tensions drive Defence spending

Luxon defends his government’s increased investment in Defence, pointing to growing instability in the Pacific region.

The Government will pump $12 billion into the New Zealand Defence Force over the next four years.

“We’ve seen continental ballistic missiles launched in the Pacific… flotillas come through the Tasman Sea with serious strike capability,” Luxon says. "New Zealand has to have its own view… and we have to be able to back it up.”

He adds that Pacific nations welcome New Zealand’s support, especially during disasters.

“Our Defence Force has been critical in responding to earthquakes and landslides across the region.”

US President Donald Trump's global tariffs have left world leaders and experts concerned. Photo/Supplied

Tariff talk: “Not what the global economy needs”

Turning to trade, Luxon expresses concern about the Trump administration’s tariffs.

“Tariffs and trade wars are just not what the global economy needs,” Luxon says.

“New Zealand has been one of the countries in the world that's advocated not to have tariffs for many, many years.”

He warns that rising consumer costs in the United States could have ripple effects globally but says Kiwi exporters are resilient.

“New Zealand exporters are well positioned, our products are in huge demand. I'm very, very focused on that challenge at the moment.”

Luxon attends the final day of Polyfest 2025. Photo/Christopher Luxon Facebook

Polyfest push and Pacific priorities

After attending Auckland’s Polyfest, Luxon says he has spoken directly to Pacific Peoples Minister Shane Reti about increasing government support for the event.

“The great thing about the Polyfest organisers is they're very clear about what they want, which is more support,” Luxon says.

“So we've also been supporting things like Pacific Financial Education, which has been helping people with their finances and getting them into houses.

“We've got to get the basics of this economy right so that people can actually have more money in their back pocket.”