Face of the Day

The prime minister has survived a confidence vote and will remain in charge of the National Party.

Emerging from a caucus meeting which lasted nearly three hours, Christopher Luxon read a short statement to say there had been intense media speculation about his leadership, and “who said what to whom”, and so he forced the vote to put it to rest.

The New Zealand First leader Winston Peters meanwhile, expected there would be “consequences” to the confidence vote.

Describing the conversation as “good and honest”, Luxon said the vote confirmed what he had been saying.

“I have the support of my caucus as their leader. Caucus has answered clearly and decisively. It has backed my leadership, and that matter is now closed.”

RNZ