Paul Goldsmith says MMP referendum ‘of course’ party policy, not just Luxon's view

National’s justice spokesman says Christopher Luxon’s support for an MMP referendum is “of course” party policy, despite two senior National MPs saying the Prime Minister’s comments weren’t a policy commitment, and the party wouldn’t be campaigning on it at the election.

It follows Luxon doubling down on holding a referendum on New Zealand’s voting system if he’s re-elected, telling a public meeting in Auckland last night he would do so alongside asking Kiwis whether they wanted to extend Parliament terms from three to four years. 

It adds another chapter in a chaotic 24 hours for the National Party, as MPs appeared flummoxed by Luxon’s apparent policy commitment, which comes ahead of the party announcing its list in Wellington tomorrow. 

Speaking on Newstalk ZB yesterday morning, Luxon said he supported holding another referendum on whether New Zealanders wanted to retain the mixed-member proportional (MMP) system. 

Asked if he would do so if he were Prime Minister next year, Luxon replied: “Yeah, I think I would.” 

He added: “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?’” 

Luxon reiterated this at his public meeting last night in Mt Roskill, saying he would want to “check in on our democracy” at the same time voters were asked whether they wanted to extend Parliament terms. 

National leader Christopher Luxon speaking at a party public meeting in Mt Roskill, Auckland. Photo / Zebedee Tupa'i 

It’s understood a referendum wasn’t formal party policy at the time Luxon made his comments yesterday. 

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Several senior National MPs yesterday wouldn’t describe Luxon’s comments as equivalent to announcing a policy. Many, including National campaign chairman Simeon Brown, said Luxon was simply expressing his views on the matter. 

Senior MP and crime spokesman Mark Mitchell denied a referendum was policy and believed it was “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.” 

Despite Luxon wanting to hold the referendum next term, Mitchell said it wouldn’t form part of National’s campaign. 

“Well, we’re not campaigning on that … not this election, no. 

“We’ve already stated that we’re not campaigning on electoral issues this election because there was a debate around the length of terms, and we’ve said that that’s not happening, this term.” 

Senior MP Chris Bishop last night told reporters said he would describe Luxon’s comments as “musing around the concept of a referendum in amongst the conversation around constitutional arrangements, four-year terms, and things like that”. 

“It’s not, as I understand it, it’s not a National Party policy commitment, but he was expressing a view around it,” he said. 

Senior National MP Chris Bishop believed Luxon's comments weren't confirming policy. Photo / Michael Craig 

However, justice spokesman Paul Goldsmith today told Herald NOW it was “of course” party policy. 

“That’s what the Prime Minister said, of course, yes,” Goldsmith said when asked if it was policy. 

“Well, when the leader of the party says he’s keen to do something it becomes policy, obviously.” 

Goldsmith believed Luxon’s position was “perfectly sensible”. 

“The state of our MMP is something we should check in from time to time, and if we get a chance to do a referendum on a four-year term, why not ask? 

Senior MP Todd McClay told Newstalk ZB this morning a referendum was a “very good idea” and would focus voters on the “harm” that could be caused by the “little parties”, particularly those on the left. 

Luxon, who is spending the day in Palmerston North today, is expected to front media tomorrow when he announces his party list for the upcoming election. 

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.