New Zealand First leader Winston Peters said it was an “absolute surprise” to hear Prime Minister Christopher Luxon’s call for a referendum on MMP should he be re-elected at the upcoming election.
Peters said he had travelled the country “extensively” and “no one has ever raised” the issue of MMP with him at all.
“I couldn’t understand why somebody would mention it, and I can’t believe that they’ve even discussed it as a caucus.”
When asked if the referendum showed Luxon was worried about his polling, Peters replied: “100% you’re right.”
Luxon accused of power grab with call for MMP referendum if re-elected - Watch on TVNZ+
Prime Minister says, if re-elected, he’d have a referendum to test support for continuing the electoral system. (Source: 1News)
Earlier, Peters slammed Luxon’s idea in a post on social media, which he called “inexplicable”.
"MMP broke the stranglehold of two parties running roughshod over our economy without social licence," he said.
"Now that the two old parties are losing their grip on power, they want to change the electoral system to favour their falling fortunes. The public voted for MMP in 1993. The public voted for MMP in 2011.
"People want representation in parliament that busts the two old parties’ who are intent on keeping power at all costs and just being happy to continue to manage the decline.
"The old parties’ weak and inept attitude to economic sovereignty, immigration, and woke nonsense has seen people move to a party that is offering common sense, patriotism, and old-fashioned Kiwi values."
Jack Tame clears up the confusion around the country's 30 year old MMP voting system. (Source: 1News)
Peters said taking away MMP would shut down and take away "true democratic representation from the people of New Zealand".
He added the referendum idea "should be seen for what it is – a power grab and an ignorance for what it means to be a democracy".
Luxon says referendum designed to avoid 'yahoo or numpty' Cabinet members
In an interview this morning on Newstalk ZB, Luxon said he was "open" to the idea of an MMP referendum, and was then asked if he would have a referendum on the system next year if he were to remain as prime minister.
"I think I would because I actually think you know that is quite right to check in constitutionally and say, is this the system New Zealand you still want? You know, you voted for this in the 90s.
"We've had a check-in in the 10, 20 years down the road, or whatever it has been. Is it is it still where you want to be?"
Luxon said "when you have to form coalition governments, you don't have the same values" and added his National ministers are doing "incredible work".
"And the question, as I keep saying, is I don't need some yahoo or numpty from some other party around that table.
"I can do a lot more to get the centre-right agenda into, and the centre being the operative word done and out the door. So think about your vote, November 7. That's really important."
He said there weren't any "numpties" among the current crop of ministers.
He also referred to the 2011 MMP referendum on the system under then prime minister John Key, where voters chose to keep MMP with 57.8% in favour and 42.2% against the idea.
ACT's David Seymour said: "Our last experience with a single party government was Jacinda Ardern and Chris Hipkins from 2020-23. I really doubt Chris Luxon would want New Zealand to return to that."
Labour Party leader Chris Hipkins said a referendum was not needed as there was a “clear result” in 2011.
“I think what Christopher Luxon is showing, is he has no idea how to manage MMP. He has no idea how to manage his job as Prime Minister.
“There’s no question Christopher Luxon’s relationship with Winston Peters and David Seymour is absolutely abysmal. We shouldn’t have to change the entire electoral system because the prime minister can’t manage his own government.”
National Party deputy leader Nicola Willis said she understood Luxon made the MMP comments this morning during the radio interview.
When asked if she was aware he was going to make the announcement, Willis said she was aware these were views Luxon held in regards to the referendum, which had been discussed with caucus and people across the country.
“I think it’s good to have a prime minister who gives you open honest answers. If you want a politician who only gives you canned lines, I suggest to you that most New Zealanders want to know what politicians really think.”
When asked for her view, Willis said MMP continues to have both critics and champions of the system.
“I think before any changes are made to our electoral system, it should go to a referendum.”
When asked if Luxon’s comments created division in the coalition, Willis responded “I don’t think so”.
“I think in recent weeks there has been some examples of some candidates from other parties and some politicians not being as focused as they should be on the issues that really matter.”
Green Party co-leader Marama Davidson said National was trying to “limit voters’ choices for an opportunistic, self-serving power grab”.
“If Luxon’s so tired of working with Winston Peters, there’s an easier way than overhauling our entire electoral system: sack him from Cabinet and bring forward the election.
“New Zealanders have consistently voted to keep MMP. They voted for MMP in 1993 and voted again to keep it in 2011. We don't need another vote to tell us New Zealanders want a proportional voting system.”
Davidson the referendum would be “a waste of time and a waste of tax dollars” which “should be instead be used to improve our social services and New Zealanders’ quality of life”.
The morning's headlines in 90 seconds, including a billboard blunder for Auckland’s CRL, dangerous turbulence on a flight, and a new twist in the Beckham family feud. (Source: 1News)
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