Luxon softens stance on Opportunity after repeatedly ruling out party during campaign

Summarised by Centrist

Christopher Luxon has softened his stance towards the Opportunity Party just days after repeatedly ruling it out as a potential governing partner, saying he now wants to build a relationship with its leader, Qiulae Wong.

The shift follows Saturday's election, which gave National, ACT and NZ First a provisional majority of just 67 seats in a 131-seat Parliament.

Luxon had repeatedly rejected any arrangement with Opportunity during the campaign, citing differences over the party's tax and economic policies.

But on Monday, he said he intended to speak with Wong and look for areas of agreement.

"I intend to build a relationship with her and try and find common ground with her, too," he said.

Luxon maintains that he expects the existing three-party coalition to have sufficient seats to govern without Opportunity.

Wong, whose party secured 5.96% of the preliminary party vote and seven seats, said she had already spoken with Labour leader Chris Hipkins and Greens co-leader Chlöe Swarbrick.

As of Monday afternoon, she had not heard from Luxon.

Wong reiterated that Opportunity's five policy conditions remained non-negotiable for any governing partner.

They include stronger powers to tackle anti-competitive businesses, lobbying and donation reforms, a 10-year cross-party health plan, restrictions on bottom trawling and renewed climate commitments.

Wong said she wanted to avoid another election but would not abandon those commitments to secure a coalition agreement.

The bigger obstacle for Luxon may be NZ First.

Deputy leader Shane Jones confirmed on Sunday that his party had not changed its position on refusing to work with Opportunity, although he said the final election result should be awaited.

Approximately 399,000 special votes remain outstanding, with the official result due on November 27.

Whether he needs Wong's support, and whether NZ First would accept such an arrangement, remains unresolved.

Read more at NZ Herald | NZ First's position | Electoral Commission

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