Winston Peters clarifies conversion therapy remarks as Luxon rules out any changes

New Zealand First leader Winston Peters is clarifying his remarks concerning potential reform of the country’s conversion therapy law, saying he doesn’t support repealing it but is open to “reviewing it”.

It follows National leader Christopher Luxon declaring there would be no change to the legislation “whatsoever”.

In an interview with Family First national director Bob McCoskrie yesterday, Peters was questioned on the Conversion Practices Prohibition Legislation Act, which prohibits certain practices intended to change or suppress a person’s sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression.

The bill passed its third reading in 2022, when NZ First was not in Government, by 112 votes to eight.

Asked if there were moves to “overturn” or “relitigate” the conversion therapy law, Peters said: “I sure hope so.”

The party leader said “we inherited that” and claimed the bill would not have passed if NZ First had been in Government.

“There’s no doubt in my mind if we had been there at the time that would not pass through. We would have made a pretty strong fight against that.”

Peters stopped short of committing to make overturning the law an NZ First policy.

In a statement to the Herald today, Peters said his party was “open to reviewing” the legislation but was not in favour of scrapping it completely.

He argued there were “some legitimate concerns voiced at the time” and believed it was beneficial to review the law.

“There are serious and legitimate reasons about certain practices and treatment of vulnerable people that needed to be addressed by this law, and those concerns are legitimate.”

National leader Christopher Luxon ruled out changes to abortion and conversion therapy. Photo / Cameron Pitney

Speaking to reporters this morning in Kāpiti, Luxon appeared to rule out any changes to conversion therapy settings.

“No, we’re not overturning that at all. That’s not changing whatsoever,” he said.

Also in yesterday’s interview, the pair addressed abortion, with Peters saying it was important to ascertain “the facts” with respect to the time abortion was employed, while reiterating the need for legal, safe abortion.

“At its worst, and it’s a matter of timing, but it shades into a thing called murder. You got me here?

“It shades into a thing called murder or assassination, get any name you like. But that’s the purpose. We’ve got to know the facts.”

In 2021, Luxon said his own pro-life position meant he likened abortion to murder but subsequently assured voters he would not touch abortion laws.

He reiterated that to reporters this morning when asked about Peters’ comments.

“I said in 2023 I would not be changing them as Prime Minister and I’ve met that commitment and I’ll continue to meet that commitment.

“We had a good debate about that in 2018, 2019. Those laws are settled; there will be no changes under me as Prime Minister.”

Adam Pearse is the Deputy Political Editor and part of the NZ Herald’s Press Gallery team based at Parliament in Wellington. He has worked for NZME since 2018, reporting for the Northern Advocate in Whangārei and the Herald in Auckland.