Thomas Coughlan: What was Chris Penk thinking in Luxon coup?
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National MP Chris Penk's been dumped from Cabinet and his ministerial portfolios, after instigating today's failed coup.
Prime Minister Chris Luxon managed to fight off the challenge for his leadership - at a three-hour caucus meeting in Wellington today.
He says Penk's role is now untenable.
NZ Herald political editor Thomas Coughlan says Penk was likely running the numbers - for Erica Stanford or Chris Bishop to contest the leadership.
"I think there was a classic stalking horse or sometimes they're called kamikazes - they launched the attacks and destabilised...so that it triggered the confidence vote."
Paul Goldsmith will pick up the Defence, Veterans, Space, GCSB, and NZSIS portfolios.
Simon Watts will become Minister for Building and Construction.
LISTEN ABOVE
- Chris Penk won’t seek re-election after Luxon sacks him over leadership challenge
- Who backs Luxon? Erica Stanford silent as Nats return for caucus meeting
- National MPs hit phones over Luxon's leadership after MMP surprise
- Barry Soper: It'll be interesting to see what Luxon does from here
- 'Difficult to tell': Thomas Coughlan says MPs silent ahead of Luxon meeting
- Barry Soper: Luxon's survival depends on so many factors
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