Francesca Rudkin: Luxon needs to rediscover the version of him people voted for

Author: Francesca Rudkin,
Publish Date: Sun, 16 Aug 2026, 10:07am

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Prime Minister Chris Luxon (L) speaks during the post cab presser with trade minister Todd McClay at Parliament, Wellington. 05 May 2025. © Copyright image by Marty Melville / NZ Herald

As you may have heard, this time a week ago ZB turned one hundred years old, and on Friday night we threw a little party to celebrate.

The Prime Minister came, and made a speech, and he was brilliant. He was smart, very funny, relaxed - he roasted us respectfully and took the mickey out of himself beautifully. It was a great speech, well-delivered and it had everyone in the room asking - so where has this guy been?

But here’s the thing about being human - we’re just not always ‘on’. It’s hard to always say the right thing, articulate ourselves well and be relatable. Even if you are a politician who is expected to do it every day.

And that’s why I like Luxon. He hasn’t completely turned into a political talking point robot. I know politics should be about policy and not personality, but personality has always mattered. As I’ve said before - whether it was John Key's easy-going style, Jacinda Ardern's empathy, or Winston Peters' theatre - how politicians communicate is just as important as what they say.

And on Friday night, Luxon was probably the best communicator in a room packed full with communicators.

I said it last week, the MMP referendum debacle had blown out of proportion. Then there was the Prime Minister’s message to Rotorua businesses, true to the National Party view but poorly articulated. A more succinct, less patronising version eventually followed.

With less than 90 days to the election, these hardly seemed meaty enough incidences to trigger a coup and destabilise the party. It seems enough National caucus members agree. For now.

Luxon was able to stare down his detractors, but having to defend his leadership for the second time in four months is not good for the party. It implies internal division, and with no one believing Chris Penk went into the caucus meeting as a lone wolf it’s clear not everyone believes Luxon is the best person for the job.

So what does he do now?

First, shut the door on the leadership question. Completely. No more speculation, no more caucus drama, no more leaks to journalists. If National is going to win on November 7, Luxon needs every MP looking outward, not over their shoulder at the person sitting next to them.

Then he needs to simplify the campaign.

Don't make it a referendum on Christopher Luxon. Make it a referendum on what National has delivered and what it intends to do next. Focus on the economy, cost of living, jobs, law and order, health and getting Government spending under control. These are the bread-and-butter issues that determine how people feel about their lives.

And Luxon needs to rediscover the version of himself voters elected in 2023: competent, optimistic, focused and practical. Less political noise. Fewer unnecessary fights. More evidence that the Government is getting things done. Most importantly, National needs to look united. Not pretend to be united. Actually be united.

Because right now voters need a reason to trust this team to run the country.

Luxon has won the battle inside National.

Now he has 12 weeks to win the one that matters.

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