National leader Christopher Luxon has told his party’s annual conference that the country needs to “say yes” more.
Addressing about 550 delegates, MPs and supporters at the Air Force Museum of New Zealand in Christchurch yesterday, Luxon bemoaned “activists” who opposed housing developments, agriculture, cruise ships and mines.
“If we’re serious about keeping Kiwis at home, creating jobs and increasing wages for all New Zealanders, we can’t afford to keep saying no to every opportunity that comes our way.”
Opposition parties have heavily criticised the Government for its economic policies and laid the blame at its feet for the 30,000 New Zealanders who moved to Australia last year, but Luxon said the opposition would make it worse.
“Take a look at Australia,” he said. “If they shut down their mining industry or their energy industry tomorrow, as Labour and the Greens want to do here, I guarantee you would see fewer Kiwis moving across the ditch.”
Luxon’s speech came hot on the heels of an announcement from the United States that it would increase tariffs to 15%.
Still digesting the announcement and what it would mean for New Zealand exporters, Luxon acknowledged “challenging” global conditions.
“We can’t just batten down the hatches and hope for the best,” he said.
Luxon’s speech made no mention of National’s coalition partners, New Zealand First or ACT, or even the word “coalition” itself, although deputy Nicola Willis acknowledged the “energy” it took to keep Winston Peters and David Seymour under control.
Instead, Luxon’s speech was heavy on shout-outs to his National ministers and their policies, and also on blaming the previous government for the cost-of-living struggles New Zealanders currently faced.
“In the years to come, immediate action on the cost of living isn’t enough,” he said.
“The last government spent billions of dollars in failed handouts, only to watch inflation roar and the economy falter.
“We have to keep our eyes on the prize.”
Echoing his speech at Monday’s post-cabinet press conference, Luxon leaned on the economic policies the Government had introduced, such as tax changes, FamilyBoost and the removal of the Auckland Fuel Tax.
“We’re doing what we can,” he said.
The speech contained an announcement that the Government would make it easier to get a concession on Department of Conservation (DOC) land.
“That means more certainty for businesses, less bureaucracy and much faster decisions, so the businesses that should be operating can get up and running.”
There would still be restrictions on some parts of the DOC estate.
“Where it does make sense, we need to get to the ‘yes’ much faster – instead of being bogged down in process and uncertainty,” Luxon said.
Charges of $20-40 for foreign visitors to high-volume sites, such as Cathedral Cove, Tongariro Crossing, Milford Sound, and Aoraki Mount Cook, were being introduced, but New Zealanders would be exempt from the fees.
Party president Sylvia Wood, who was re-elected at the conference, said the party would select candidates for the 2026 election shortly.
Speaking to media afterwards, Luxon said there was more to do 18 months into the term.
Before the 2026 election, Luxon said he expected to be judged on rebuilding the economy, restoring law and order, lowering the cost of living, and delivering better health and education.
“Everyone’s dealing with a really challenging global environment right now, but what we can do is control what we can control and that New Zealand has a plan. We can navigate some pretty choppy seas to get to the destination that we want to get to, but for that to happen, you’ve got to have the right people with the hands on the tiller, which is us.”
He committed to leading the party into the 2026 election and staying on another three years, if re-elected.
While joking he wanted 100% of the vote, Luxon talked up National’s relationship with ACT and New Zealand First.
“I’m very proud of the fact that we’ve worked incredibly well with the three parties in a coalition in the way that we have,” he said.
rnz.co.nz
