New Zealand PM Luxon Survives Party Leadership Vote

New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has survived a leadership vote among his own party's lawmakers, held less than three months before the country's general election.

The vote took place privately during a hastily convened meeting of the centre-right National Party caucus at Parliament in Wellington on Wednesday. After the meeting, Luxon emerged flanked by his lawmakers, issued a brief statement, and left without answering questions from reporters.

"There was a confidence vote in my leadership this morning at our caucus meeting," Luxon said. "I had the full support of our caucus and our caucus is united and it is determined to win this election."

Luxon did not disclose how many lawmakers voted in his favour, as such ballots are typically secret. This was the second time he has faced a leadership vote since April, when a similar challenge followed a dip in the party's polling numbers.

The latest vote came after a series of public remarks by Luxon that some within his party viewed as gaffes. On Tuesday, Luxon took the unusual step of acknowledging the leadership rumblings on social media and announced he would convene Wednesday's meeting to settle the matter.

"It is my firm belief that division and disunity are a major distraction only 90 days out from the election," he wrote on X. "I also believe this distraction is unfair to the New Zealand people, and dedicated National Party candidates, supporters and volunteers, when there is so much at stake."

National has led a right-wing coalition government since the 2023 election. Luxon, a former airline executive who entered Parliament in 2000, has led the party since 2021. The general election is scheduled for November 7.