September 1, 2026 • 8 mins
The PM on heading to the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) in Palau, the comments he made about Air New Zealand and Rob Fyfe, and the countdown to the election.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Listen
Watch
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon joins us now on the show. Christopher,
the Pacific Islands Forum, you're off to Palau today where
Taiwan's presence has drawn threats from China. What's your position
on this?
Speaker 2 (00:13):
Yeah, look, I mean, there's 18 countries in the Pacific
Island Forum. It's all the Pacific Island countries. There's obviously Australia,
New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, everybody there. It's a good
chance for all the leaders to come together and talk
about a range of issues. I know there's a lot
of conversation about China and Taiwan, but frankly, in the leaders' meeting,
the conversation tends to go back to This is a
(00:33):
region that's spent a billion dollars on extra fuel payments
since the crisis in Iran. We've got real challenges on
core infrastructure across the region. And there's whole issues from
transnational organized crime and drugs coming through the Pacific, a
whole range of topics that we'll be discussing.
Speaker 1 (00:49):
Does it surprise you that China did feel like it
needed to react to Taiwan's presence, given where we are
in this part of the world, the big blue continent?
Speaker 2 (00:58):
Well, I mean, the key thing is that we want
the Pacific to solve Pacific challenges and opportunities. We don't
need outside nations from a number of partners we have
across the Pacific, which we appreciate. But equally, we want
the Pacific agenda to be driven by the Pacific nations.
And that's why that's very much our focus. We want
(01:20):
the centrality of what we call PIF to be the
way in which support partners, whether it be China or
the US or Japan or Korea or anyone else, comes
through working through that body. And it's those leaders themselves
that determine the direction of the Pacific.
Speaker 1 (01:33):
Cervical screening for all, great. How are we progressing, though,
with lowering the bowel cancer screening age?
Speaker 2 (01:40):
Yeah, look, we started, obviously, at 60. We've moved it
to 58. We want to move it down, ideally, to 56.
We want to keep marching it down so we match Australia, ultimately.
A lot of it is about, you know, having colonoscopy
resources and all those kinds of things.
Speaker 3 (01:55):
And so we've also introduced a home... home kit called.
Speaker 2 (01:59):
An FIT kit, a FIT test, and that's actually really
great because it's a diagnostic tool that means that we
don't then have 60% of people getting colonoscopies when that
then didn't need it. We can actually screen for a
lot of that or risk a bowel cancer and actually
then do the colonoscopies.
Speaker 3 (02:15):
Off the back of that.
Speaker 2 (02:16):
So that just helps us use our resources in a
smarter way. But our intention is to keep marching it down. Already,
as you saw, in the first couple of years, we've
marched down by another two years, and we'll keep going
in increments as we can.
Speaker 1 (02:27):
Right. Rob Fyfe has taken umbrage at your reflections on
Air New Zealand's loss. Does he have a point?
Speaker 2 (02:35):
No, I think Rob's a good mate, and he and
I talked yesterday about it, actually, and I think it's
all been taken terribly out of context. All I was saying,
I represent as Prime Minister now, you know, we represent
and own 51% of that company, and it's no doubt
about it, you know, Air New Zealand would acknowledge it's
a poor performance by their own admission, and it's It's
(02:56):
a poor performance in the context of other airline results
as well. But having said that, as I said at
the time last Friday, they've got a really good CEO
in Nikola Ravishanka. He's an amazing guy. He'd be really
good for the company. And they've also got two new
directors that we've put on the board, you know, Robin Campbell,
who have deep aviation experience, which will help them as well. So,
you know, running an airline is hard business, but, you know,
(03:18):
it's a poor performance. Let's call it for what it is.
Speaker 3 (03:20):
It is.
Speaker 2 (03:21):
But I've got every confidence the team will be able
to turn around and get it performing well again.
Speaker 1 (03:25):
Yes, you did say that, and it did seem to
get lost in the mix a little bit in the interim.
Speaker 3 (03:30):
Funny that, my friend.
Speaker 2 (03:30):
There's a lot that gets lost in the media reporting
of what I actually say.
Speaker 3 (03:35):
It goes with the territory. Right.
Speaker 1 (03:36):
It does.
Speaker 3 (03:37):
OK.
Speaker 1 (03:37):
The Paris Accord, we stay in. That remains a non-negotiable
for you?
Speaker 3 (03:43):
Yeah, I mean, the point is it's an economic issue, right?
Speaker 2 (03:46):
I mean, the bottom line is that if we were
to come out, there's 195, 190 plus countries in Paris.
Speaker 3 (03:52):
There's only four that are out. It's Libya, Yemen and Iran.
And the U.S. has come out, but the U.S. states
are progressing in Paris as governors.
Speaker 2 (04:01):
And so the real, my argument is very simple in
the position of our coalition government this term has been
it makes economic sense for New Zealand to stay in
because the thing that would happen immediately is that competitor countries,
think about the Denmarks and the Netherlands who are right
on our.
Speaker 3 (04:16):
Tails as good agricultural producers.
Speaker 2 (04:20):
Think about the large multinational companies, they would kick our
products off-shelf and that would make every New Zealander and
every farmer in this country poorer, and I'm not doing that.
That will give our Paris targets a good go, but
we are also saying very clearly we are not sending
billions of dollars and millions of dollars offshore. We're going
to have that money invested here in New Zealand, thank
you very much. So, you know, that's our commitment, because
(04:41):
it's an economic thing for me.
Speaker 1 (04:44):
Right, you've got the job of being the Prime Minister
and you've also got the job of staying the Prime Minister.
What's your individual strategy for the next couple of months?
Speaker 3 (04:53):
Look, very simple.
Speaker 2 (04:54):
Do you want a Labour government that's going to come
in and actually produce nine new taxes with their coalition mates?
From an inheritance tax, a capital gains tax, a wealth tax,
death tax, trust tax, increase in income tax, increase in
corporate tax rate, taxing everything in sight because they're addicted
to spending, they're addicted to taxation, they're addicted to borrowing.
Or do you actually want to stick with the people
who've got a long-term plan to grow the economy, which
(05:16):
you're seeing in the agricultural sector, that actually makes life
more affordable and ultimately helps people get ahead? So it's
a pretty simple choice. Spend more tax, more borrow more.
We had that for six years. Didn't work out so well.
That's where they want to go back to. Or responsible
economic management.
Speaker 1 (05:30):
Okay, in terms of making sure that your plan is heard,
where will we be seeing you? I mean, these are
heady times for the rural sector. But, you know, I
guess I should say we can be a strange lot
come voting time. I mean, let's keep the Greens out
by voting Labour half the South Islander not that long ago.
Speaker 3 (05:54):
My message is really simple. I don't need any strategic voting.
Speaker 2 (05:56):
It's party vote national because that makes up a government
and it gives us our best shot to give strong,
stable government to New Zealand. And so that's why I'm
single-minded as the National Party leader saying I don't need
anyone thinking creatively or strategically about this. The very best
thing you can do for New Zealand is to vote.
uh national party and vote party vote national and so
that's what determines the makeup of a future government and
(06:17):
we have a great future ahead of us i think
the the agricultural community farming community would appreciate you know
from day one i've tried to be a prominent champion
of the sector really well i've been highly visible in
the sector i've you know participated in lots of different
events and engaged in lots of different ways with the
sector i've really appreciated doing that and i hope they
feel they've got a government that's been backing them do
exactly that and you know they're a case in point
(06:38):
you know we've been able to get trade deals done
around the world You know, we believe in an Indian FTA.
We believe in the opportunity that it creates with more
optionality for that sector. So, you know, we want to
keep the foot on the accelerator there. Growth, growth, growth.
Speaker 3 (06:50):
Yep.
Speaker 1 (06:51):
Finally, will you be back in time to catch the
third test, effectively the big decider from South Africa?
Speaker 3 (06:57):
Yeah, I will be, actually.
Speaker 2 (06:59):
I'm just literally flying into Palau for a day and
a bit and then back home again on Friday. So, yeah,
it's going to be quite a game, isn't it? I mean,
it is, as they've been promoting it, it is the
greatest rivalry and it's living up to that for sure.
Speaker 1 (07:11):
Your job's not too different to Dave Rennie. Have you
got your team all aligned and in the right direction
for the months ahead, Prime Minister?
Speaker 3 (07:18):
Yeah, look, we're fired up, ready to go.
Speaker 2 (07:20):
And I mean, we've got a great country. We've got
a great future ahead of us. And there's no reason
New Zealand can't do exceptionally well. We've got to stick
with the plan. You know, we've really got to stick
with the plan and follow through. And that's what we've
got to deliver on November 7th.
Speaker 3 (07:31):
But that's up to all of us.
Speaker 2 (07:32):
We get to democracy. It's a pretty special right. And
every New Zealander gets a stake in that. And it's
up for every New Zealander to consider it very seriously.
Speaker 1 (07:39):
Finally, one very serious question. Are you a live watcher
or do you rely on the replay?
Speaker 3 (07:46):
Depends on what my schedule is.
Speaker 2 (07:48):
Like one of them I was able to watch live,
but then most of the time I'm watching a replay.
Speaker 3 (07:52):
The next day.
Speaker 2 (07:54):
While I'm trying to do some other reading or something
at the same time.
Speaker 1 (07:57):
Yeah, I appreciate you're a reasonably busy man. So yes,
I guess the replay option is best for you. Prime
Minister Christopher Luxon, thank you very much for joining us
on The Country.
Speaker 3 (08:05):
Great to be with you, Hamish.
Speaker 2 (08:06):
Have a great week.
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon joins us now on the show. Christopher,
the Pacific Islands Forum, you're off to Palau today where
Taiwan's presence has drawn threats from China. What's your position
on this?
Speaker 2 (00:13):
Yeah, look, I mean, there's 18 countries in the Pacific
Island Forum. It's all the Pacific Island countries. There's obviously Australia,
New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, everybody there. It's a good
chance for all the leaders to come together and talk
about a range of issues. I know there's a lot
of conversation about China and Taiwan, but frankly, in the leaders' meeting,
the conversation tends to go back to This is a
(00:33):
region that's spent a billion dollars on extra fuel payments
since the crisis in Iran. We've got real challenges on
core infrastructure across the region. And there's whole issues from
transnational organized crime and drugs coming through the Pacific, a
whole range of topics that we'll be discussing.
Speaker 1 (00:49):
Does it surprise you that China did feel like it
needed to react to Taiwan's presence, given where we are
in this part of the world, the big blue continent?
Speaker 2 (00:58):
Well, I mean, the key thing is that we want
the Pacific to solve Pacific challenges and opportunities. We don't
need outside nations from a number of partners we have
across the Pacific, which we appreciate. But equally, we want
the Pacific agenda to be driven by the Pacific nations.
And that's why that's very much our focus. We want
(01:20):
the centrality of what we call PIF to be the
way in which support partners, whether it be China or
the US or Japan or Korea or anyone else, comes
through working through that body. And it's those leaders themselves
that determine the direction of the Pacific.
Speaker 1 (01:33):
Cervical screening for all, great. How are we progressing, though,
with lowering the bowel cancer screening age?
Speaker 2 (01:40):
Yeah, look, we started, obviously, at 60. We've moved it
to 58. We want to move it down, ideally, to 56.
We want to keep marching it down so we match Australia, ultimately.
A lot of it is about, you know, having colonoscopy
resources and all those kinds of things.
Speaker 3 (01:55):
And so we've also introduced a home... home kit called.
Speaker 2 (01:59):
An FIT kit, a FIT test, and that's actually really
great because it's a diagnostic tool that means that we
don't then have 60% of people getting colonoscopies when that
then didn't need it. We can actually screen for a
lot of that or risk a bowel cancer and actually
then do the colonoscopies.
Speaker 3 (02:15):
Off the back of that.
Speaker 2 (02:16):
So that just helps us use our resources in a
smarter way. But our intention is to keep marching it down. Already,
as you saw, in the first couple of years, we've
marched down by another two years, and we'll keep going
in increments as we can.
Speaker 1 (02:27):
Right. Rob Fyfe has taken umbrage at your reflections on
Air New Zealand's loss. Does he have a point?
Speaker 2 (02:35):
No, I think Rob's a good mate, and he and
I talked yesterday about it, actually, and I think it's
all been taken terribly out of context. All I was saying,
I represent as Prime Minister now, you know, we represent
and own 51% of that company, and it's no doubt
about it, you know, Air New Zealand would acknowledge it's
a poor performance by their own admission, and it's It's
(02:56):
a poor performance in the context of other airline results
as well. But having said that, as I said at
the time last Friday, they've got a really good CEO
in Nikola Ravishanka. He's an amazing guy. He'd be really
good for the company. And they've also got two new
directors that we've put on the board, you know, Robin Campbell,
who have deep aviation experience, which will help them as well. So,
you know, running an airline is hard business, but, you know,
(03:18):
it's a poor performance. Let's call it for what it is.
Speaker 3 (03:20):
It is.
Speaker 2 (03:21):
But I've got every confidence the team will be able
to turn around and get it performing well again.
Speaker 1 (03:25):
Yes, you did say that, and it did seem to
get lost in the mix a little bit in the interim.
Speaker 3 (03:30):
Funny that, my friend.
Speaker 2 (03:30):
There's a lot that gets lost in the media reporting
of what I actually say.
Speaker 3 (03:35):
It goes with the territory. Right.
Speaker 1 (03:36):
It does.
Speaker 3 (03:37):
OK.
Speaker 1 (03:37):
The Paris Accord, we stay in. That remains a non-negotiable
for you?
Speaker 3 (03:43):
Yeah, I mean, the point is it's an economic issue, right?
Speaker 2 (03:46):
I mean, the bottom line is that if we were
to come out, there's 195, 190 plus countries in Paris.
Speaker 3 (03:52):
There's only four that are out. It's Libya, Yemen and Iran.
And the U.S. has come out, but the U.S. states
are progressing in Paris as governors.
Speaker 2 (04:01):
And so the real, my argument is very simple in
the position of our coalition government this term has been
it makes economic sense for New Zealand to stay in
because the thing that would happen immediately is that competitor countries,
think about the Denmarks and the Netherlands who are right
on our.
Speaker 3 (04:16):
Tails as good agricultural producers.
Speaker 2 (04:20):
Think about the large multinational companies, they would kick our
products off-shelf and that would make every New Zealander and
every farmer in this country poorer, and I'm not doing that.
That will give our Paris targets a good go, but
we are also saying very clearly we are not sending
billions of dollars and millions of dollars offshore. We're going
to have that money invested here in New Zealand, thank
you very much. So, you know, that's our commitment, because
(04:41):
it's an economic thing for me.
Speaker 1 (04:44):
Right, you've got the job of being the Prime Minister
and you've also got the job of staying the Prime Minister.
What's your individual strategy for the next couple of months?
Speaker 3 (04:53):
Look, very simple.
Speaker 2 (04:54):
Do you want a Labour government that's going to come
in and actually produce nine new taxes with their coalition mates?
From an inheritance tax, a capital gains tax, a wealth tax,
death tax, trust tax, increase in income tax, increase in
corporate tax rate, taxing everything in sight because they're addicted
to spending, they're addicted to taxation, they're addicted to borrowing.
Or do you actually want to stick with the people
who've got a long-term plan to grow the economy, which
(05:16):
you're seeing in the agricultural sector, that actually makes life
more affordable and ultimately helps people get ahead? So it's
a pretty simple choice. Spend more tax, more borrow more.
We had that for six years. Didn't work out so well.
That's where they want to go back to. Or responsible
economic management.
Speaker 1 (05:30):
Okay, in terms of making sure that your plan is heard,
where will we be seeing you? I mean, these are
heady times for the rural sector. But, you know, I
guess I should say we can be a strange lot
come voting time. I mean, let's keep the Greens out
by voting Labour half the South Islander not that long ago.
Speaker 3 (05:54):
My message is really simple. I don't need any strategic voting.
Speaker 2 (05:56):
It's party vote national because that makes up a government
and it gives us our best shot to give strong,
stable government to New Zealand. And so that's why I'm
single-minded as the National Party leader saying I don't need
anyone thinking creatively or strategically about this. The very best
thing you can do for New Zealand is to vote.
uh national party and vote party vote national and so
that's what determines the makeup of a future government and
(06:17):
we have a great future ahead of us i think
the the agricultural community farming community would appreciate you know
from day one i've tried to be a prominent champion
of the sector really well i've been highly visible in
the sector i've you know participated in lots of different
events and engaged in lots of different ways with the
sector i've really appreciated doing that and i hope they
feel they've got a government that's been backing them do
exactly that and you know they're a case in point
(06:38):
you know we've been able to get trade deals done
around the world You know, we believe in an Indian FTA.
We believe in the opportunity that it creates with more
optionality for that sector. So, you know, we want to
keep the foot on the accelerator there. Growth, growth, growth.
Speaker 3 (06:50):
Yep.
Speaker 1 (06:51):
Finally, will you be back in time to catch the
third test, effectively the big decider from South Africa?
Speaker 3 (06:57):
Yeah, I will be, actually.
Speaker 2 (06:59):
I'm just literally flying into Palau for a day and
a bit and then back home again on Friday. So, yeah,
it's going to be quite a game, isn't it? I mean,
it is, as they've been promoting it, it is the
greatest rivalry and it's living up to that for sure.
Speaker 1 (07:11):
Your job's not too different to Dave Rennie. Have you
got your team all aligned and in the right direction
for the months ahead, Prime Minister?
Speaker 3 (07:18):
Yeah, look, we're fired up, ready to go.
Speaker 2 (07:20):
And I mean, we've got a great country. We've got
a great future ahead of us. And there's no reason
New Zealand can't do exceptionally well. We've got to stick
with the plan. You know, we've really got to stick
with the plan and follow through. And that's what we've
got to deliver on November 7th.
Speaker 3 (07:31):
But that's up to all of us.
Speaker 2 (07:32):
We get to democracy. It's a pretty special right. And
every New Zealander gets a stake in that. And it's
up for every New Zealander to consider it very seriously.
Speaker 1 (07:39):
Finally, one very serious question. Are you a live watcher
or do you rely on the replay?
Speaker 3 (07:46):
Depends on what my schedule is.
Speaker 2 (07:48):
Like one of them I was able to watch live,
but then most of the time I'm watching a replay.
Speaker 3 (07:52):
The next day.
Speaker 2 (07:54):
While I'm trying to do some other reading or something
at the same time.
Speaker 1 (07:57):
Yeah, I appreciate you're a reasonably busy man. So yes,
I guess the replay option is best for you. Prime
Minister Christopher Luxon, thank you very much for joining us
on The Country.
Speaker 3 (08:05):
Great to be with you, Hamish.
Speaker 2 (08:06):
Have a great week.
Popular Podcasts
Stuff You Should Know
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.
Dateline NBC
Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com
The Breakfast Club
The World's Most Dangerous Morning Show, The Breakfast Club, With DJ Envy, Jess Hilarious, And Charlamagne Tha God!