September 9, 2024 • 10 mins
Christopher Luxon says his visit to Malaysia and South Korea last week was a success.
The Prime Minister says it was an important chance to build connections with investors, like South Korean pension funds.
He told Mike Hosking that in one of their five pension funds, who he spoke to, they have $2.5 billion dollars to invest.
Luxon says they'd love to invest it in a four-lane highway from Auckland to Whangārei, but they didn't know about it.
He also believes the public service is getting on board with what the Government's trying to do.
Health Minister Dr Shane Reti has stepped in to scrap a policy prioritising young Māori and Pasifika people for some healthcare services in Hawke's Bay.
Luxon says he's not sure why they had this criteria, and says it's good to see Reti sorting it.
He told Hosking the public service has had to adjust to a new Government, with targets, action plans, and reviews for ministers.
LISTEN ABOVE
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
Tuesday morning, Prime Minister Time, Good morning, Good morning, Mike.
How are you today? Very well? Indeed, I know what
the great deal of interest you started yesterday's little cabinet
post cabinet talk with the current account, of course, which
came exactly no questions. And then yesterday two councils got
downgraded by S and P. Why don't we seem to
take the plight we're in more seriously than we do.
Speaker 2 (00:24):
Well we should be And that's what I'm focused on.
I'm telling you we've got a lot of potential in
the joint, but we've got to realize it. And at
the moment, the last lot Frankly drove the car into
the ditch and we've got to get out. And that's
what we're doing. And we're cleaning up the finances first
and foremost, but then we're getting onto the growth plan
because the only way yourself had a recession and Frankly
set the future up from New Zealand is actually growth.
And that means the education work that we're doing. It
(00:46):
means science technology, it means getting rid of red tape,
it means Kenny infrastructure in place. But it's those international
connections and that's why I opened talking about the trip
I had to Malaysia and Career. We hadn't had a
prime minister there since twenty fifteen, and out by showing up. Actually,
a lot of these countries actually want to do business
with New Zealand. They actually want to invest in New Zealand,
but no one's been talking to them. So as a result,
(01:08):
you know, we had some really good company you know,
to never deals with their counterparts over there. But importantly,
you know, both Malaysia and Career open to investing in
New Zealand on things like public infrastructure and partnering with
private companies which gives us the capital, the knowledge transfer,
the things to keep killings moving forward, and more economics.
So we will see at a place then we can
afford more cancer drugs exactly.
Speaker 1 (01:28):
So we will see tangibles out of your trip.
Speaker 2 (01:32):
Yeah, So it was interesting. Like Malaysia again, pros hadn't
been there since twenty fifteen. I think Key was the
last one, and we agreed to review our FTA. We
have a major problem in Malaysia getting red meat into Malaysia,
and I said to the Prime Minister, look, we've got
to get this sorted in two months when I see
you at the end of the year. Let's make sure
we've got that done so we can get our red
meats into into the market. Here in Malaysia, we see
(01:52):
and allow meat to Indonesia, to the Middle East. I's
no reason I can't do it here. But you've got
problems on your end with the bureaucracy. Let's get that
sorted and President you in Korea immediately we lifted exports
around blueberries from New Zealand and also there was five
different types of dairy products we wanted to get into Korea.
So we were able to do that. And as I said,
we've agreed to up next year to upgrade our relationship
with comprehensive strategic partnership.
Speaker 1 (02:13):
So you know what was.
Speaker 2 (02:15):
Interesting, like is every country I go to, I spend
an hour or two hours having a lunch with big investors.
And it's not just wealthy individuals with a couple of
hundred million dollars. It's actually the funds that are worth
billions of dollars. So I sit in Korea and one
of their five pension funds that I spoke to over
one of these dinners has two hundred and fifty billion
uves dollars to invest and they would love to invest
(02:36):
in a four lane highway from Workland to fre but
they just don't know about it. And I'm open to
taking their money so we can get the infrastructure bealt
quicker and they want to give us money, but we've
now got to do these connections that actually gets the
money moving to New Zealand. So you know, that's very
much my takeaway messages that I had consistently with us
in Singapore, Japan. You know, big investor wanting to invest
(03:00):
in New Zealand is part of attracting investment. And the
reason is we are amongst the worst in the OECD
now attracting capital to New Zealand. And that's why fast
track matters. That's why funding and financing through this national
infrastructure as the matters. That's why thirty year pipeline of
proper defined projects, not sort of posted Night's ideas, kind
of matters a right.
Speaker 1 (03:19):
So speaking of which, there's quite a bit of reportage
of this going on in Australia. It's got to do
with Orchest. But Jake Sullivan, who's out of the White House,
you're looking to deal with Australia at the moment. The
US is looking to deal with Australia at the moment
to counteract Chinese dominance in this particular part of the world,
all sorts of trade ideas. Are you part of that
in any way, shape or form that discussion at the
(03:40):
moment specifically or not not specifically? But were you know
what I'm talking about?
Speaker 2 (03:45):
Or is this just all to do?
Speaker 1 (03:46):
Okay?
Speaker 2 (03:47):
I read the Jack Sullivan articles from the US yesterday
and what I just say is, look, you know, we're,
as you know, exploring orcst Pillar two and will continue
to do that. We are with respect to the US
piled up with iPad, which is their sort of economic
sort of activity around security, more around trade, around supply chains,
(04:09):
technology transfers. All of those things were in those conversations.
And obviously when I was in DC, I met with
a number of officials and even again a perfect I met
up with Kurt Campbell, who is from the State Department
that is driving Asia Pacific and Indo Pacific strategies as well.
So look, I mean what was interesting, like is I
went out to the DMZ, which is the border with
(04:30):
North Korea South Korea, and you know that war never
came to an end. It's just a permanent ceasefire for
the last seventy years as the balloons are going up
and the flying trash over us. But yesually we've got
New Zealand personnel which I've tripled into the peninsula because
what strikes you is man because the piece has been
achieved through a ceasefire a bit difficult at times, that
(04:51):
has enabled huge prosperity for South Korea to become the
fourteenth largest economy in the world. Our six biggest trading
partner that has created wealth and opportunity for New Zealand
is here at home. So that's why I keep saying
security is very inextricably linked to economic prosperity, and the
two things go together, you know. And also on that Pinancia,
what was interesting is North Korea is sending ammunition to
(05:13):
Russia to be used in Ukraine, and so we've doubled
our efforts on surveillance to make sure you in sanctions
are being monitored, working with ten other countries up there
as well. So you know, that's why security. If you
don't have security, as we've seen in Ukraine, yep, that
causes economic pain and suffering Western Europe around the developed
world with green prices. So these two things go together,
(05:33):
and that's what I'm trying to get people to understand.
Speaker 1 (05:35):
Okay, so there seems to be considered pushed by the
Biden White House to do something before jan twenty and
their administration ends. Is it possible between now and then,
which is not far away given we're in the middle
of September, but we will see something with Orcas two
and this country.
Speaker 2 (05:48):
No. No, I think I think the conversations that officials
have been having are pretty you know that they're still
pretty unclear the three countries. I think about what the
two is actually about. I think that's what Jake Sullivan
was a leading to and I think we'll continue to
make progress, but we can only move at the pace
that you know they want to engage with they're able
to engage as well.
Speaker 1 (06:08):
That thing yesterday where you were back and forward about
stuff you talk about in the cabinet and don't and
things you might have seen or might not have seen.
Do you regret at any point allowing Seymour to be
part of the coalition in terms of this Treaty Principles bill,
which for you anyway seems almost now embarrassing.
Speaker 2 (06:26):
Well it's not. I'm actually quite relaxed and calm to
about it. I mean I've been consistent before the election
and since the coalition was put together. I sort of
have a different view on it, which is, look, Manuehellan
is rightly or wrong? They chose MMP. They've done it
several times. That's the electoral system were dealt with. Right.
That's the same as Western Europe. Now, whether I'm in Germany,
whether I'm in Nevlands, at the same deal they put
(06:46):
four or five six party coalitions together in Southeast Asia.
Around in Western Europe we've put a three party coalition together.
We're united on the core that's the economics, after the
law and all the stuff, the public services things. Yes,
we have differences on an issue like this and we
find a compromise. That's what we're expected to do in
an MP.
Speaker 1 (07:04):
About it. But I look at what you went through yesterday.
Just look at what you went through yesterday. That's all
we seem to be able to be talking about in
this country. Well, I'm trying to raise this morning is
some big picture stuff that's actually quite important. But you're
bogged down and going what did David saying do you
see this and so that that stuff you could have
avoided if you didn't get bogged down in the first place.
Speaker 2 (07:24):
Well, I'm trying not to get bogged down. I'm pretty
clear about just restating our position. It gets pretty tiring
because you know, you just saying the same thing over
and over again because the position is pretty clear. But
to be honest, I'm focused on how do I rebuild
the economy, get it growing, how do I fix law
and order, whether it and how to do health and
education And those are things, frankly, whether you're Maori or
non Maori, that you actually want fixed and sorted in
this country. So you know, look, I appreciate the press
(07:46):
gallery here and Wellington. You can obsess on that, and
others will have different views on it across the country
and they're entitled to do so to liberal democracy. But
you know, I know what what I stand for in
that position, and we've got a compromise. David and act
didn't get what they wanted. I didn't get what I wanted.
But when I an m MP, it's a coalition. The
positions what it is people want to put boys to
that I'm pretty clear about it.
Speaker 1 (08:08):
Okay, speaking of Mari, have you got some sort of
is there some sort of conspiracy or subterfuge going on
in the public service in this country? So the Hawk's
Bay Health run a program for Maor youth and you're
at the front of the queue with you Mara Ritti
intervenes yesterday and says, that's not the way we do it.
Stop it now, you go. I'm changing the rules on
Maori seats and Maurray wards at local levels. First thing
(08:30):
that is, oh, we're going to ring a lawyer. Is
there something going on within the public service of this
country that is actively fighting against what you were trying
to do? Well?
Speaker 2 (08:40):
I mean they've had to adjust to a new government
that's got very clear direction and you know, as you know,
I've got targets, I've got you know, got quarterly action plans,
We've got six monthly reviews for ministers. We're running things
very differently right and so it is a change. But
I'd have to say the public service is increasingly getting
on board with what we're trying to do. My conversations
with the ces and the ministers when they come into
(09:01):
my office regularly to talk about you know, tonight would
be health. I got a monitoring, I've less de Levy
in the room, I have Shane Retcy in the room,
Doocy others and we talk about those issues. So look,
I think they are getting on board. But that was
particularly sort of felt like quite a rogue decision, which
was in Shane really good on and we gone immediately
spoke to the Health Musialan officials and enough confirment. They've
(09:22):
substately changed that policy. But you know, we believe that
your target healthcare based on needs, not ethnicity, and so
you know that's a fundamental principle and that's the way
it should be. So yeah, I'm not sure why they
had that criteria or had they changed their criteria free GPS.
Speaker 1 (09:40):
My question the law simple, you run the country like
it or not. You run the country. Is somebody there
going that stun you? Well, I don't know. Well, you
don't run health policy. It's very clear.
Speaker 2 (09:56):
And yet they are correct, and that's why we make
it very clear. Made it clear, I thought in opposition
and in the election campaign, and we've made it clear
since we've come to government and where it doesn't happen.
Good to see Shane ready stepping up and sorting it
out very quickly within a day. But look, the bottom
line is, Mike, you know, I've got to get the
you've got to get the country out of the ditch.
We've got to get into first and second gear, into
(10:17):
third and fourth and moving forward. And honestly, I'm focused on,
to be honest, some other things, which is economy, law
and order to health education, you know, So we'll do
that to the best term.
Speaker 1 (10:26):
Yeah, I appreciate your time, Prime Minister Chrystopher Luxum. For
more from the Mic Asking Breakfast, listen live to news
talks that'd be from six am weekdays, or follow the
podcast on iHeartRadio.
Tuesday morning, Prime Minister Time, Good morning, Good morning, Mike.
How are you today? Very well? Indeed, I know what
the great deal of interest you started yesterday's little cabinet
post cabinet talk with the current account, of course, which
came exactly no questions. And then yesterday two councils got
downgraded by S and P. Why don't we seem to
take the plight we're in more seriously than we do.
Speaker 2 (00:24):
Well we should be And that's what I'm focused on.
I'm telling you we've got a lot of potential in
the joint, but we've got to realize it. And at
the moment, the last lot Frankly drove the car into
the ditch and we've got to get out. And that's
what we're doing. And we're cleaning up the finances first
and foremost, but then we're getting onto the growth plan
because the only way yourself had a recession and Frankly
set the future up from New Zealand is actually growth.
And that means the education work that we're doing. It
(00:46):
means science technology, it means getting rid of red tape,
it means Kenny infrastructure in place. But it's those international
connections and that's why I opened talking about the trip
I had to Malaysia and Career. We hadn't had a
prime minister there since twenty fifteen, and out by showing up. Actually,
a lot of these countries actually want to do business
with New Zealand. They actually want to invest in New Zealand,
but no one's been talking to them. So as a result,
(01:08):
you know, we had some really good company you know,
to never deals with their counterparts over there. But importantly,
you know, both Malaysia and Career open to investing in
New Zealand on things like public infrastructure and partnering with
private companies which gives us the capital, the knowledge transfer,
the things to keep killings moving forward, and more economics.
So we will see at a place then we can
afford more cancer drugs exactly.
Speaker 1 (01:28):
So we will see tangibles out of your trip.
Speaker 2 (01:32):
Yeah, So it was interesting. Like Malaysia again, pros hadn't
been there since twenty fifteen. I think Key was the
last one, and we agreed to review our FTA. We
have a major problem in Malaysia getting red meat into Malaysia,
and I said to the Prime Minister, look, we've got
to get this sorted in two months when I see
you at the end of the year. Let's make sure
we've got that done so we can get our red
meats into into the market. Here in Malaysia, we see
(01:52):
and allow meat to Indonesia, to the Middle East. I's
no reason I can't do it here. But you've got
problems on your end with the bureaucracy. Let's get that
sorted and President you in Korea immediately we lifted exports
around blueberries from New Zealand and also there was five
different types of dairy products we wanted to get into Korea.
So we were able to do that. And as I said,
we've agreed to up next year to upgrade our relationship
with comprehensive strategic partnership.
Speaker 1 (02:13):
So you know what was.
Speaker 2 (02:15):
Interesting, like is every country I go to, I spend
an hour or two hours having a lunch with big investors.
And it's not just wealthy individuals with a couple of
hundred million dollars. It's actually the funds that are worth
billions of dollars. So I sit in Korea and one
of their five pension funds that I spoke to over
one of these dinners has two hundred and fifty billion
uves dollars to invest and they would love to invest
(02:36):
in a four lane highway from Workland to fre but
they just don't know about it. And I'm open to
taking their money so we can get the infrastructure bealt
quicker and they want to give us money, but we've
now got to do these connections that actually gets the
money moving to New Zealand. So you know, that's very
much my takeaway messages that I had consistently with us
in Singapore, Japan. You know, big investor wanting to invest
(03:00):
in New Zealand is part of attracting investment. And the
reason is we are amongst the worst in the OECD
now attracting capital to New Zealand. And that's why fast
track matters. That's why funding and financing through this national
infrastructure as the matters. That's why thirty year pipeline of
proper defined projects, not sort of posted Night's ideas, kind
of matters a right.
Speaker 1 (03:19):
So speaking of which, there's quite a bit of reportage
of this going on in Australia. It's got to do
with Orchest. But Jake Sullivan, who's out of the White House,
you're looking to deal with Australia at the moment. The
US is looking to deal with Australia at the moment
to counteract Chinese dominance in this particular part of the world,
all sorts of trade ideas. Are you part of that
in any way, shape or form that discussion at the
(03:40):
moment specifically or not not specifically? But were you know
what I'm talking about?
Speaker 2 (03:45):
Or is this just all to do?
Speaker 1 (03:46):
Okay?
Speaker 2 (03:47):
I read the Jack Sullivan articles from the US yesterday
and what I just say is, look, you know, we're,
as you know, exploring orcst Pillar two and will continue
to do that. We are with respect to the US
piled up with iPad, which is their sort of economic
sort of activity around security, more around trade, around supply chains,
(04:09):
technology transfers. All of those things were in those conversations.
And obviously when I was in DC, I met with
a number of officials and even again a perfect I met
up with Kurt Campbell, who is from the State Department
that is driving Asia Pacific and Indo Pacific strategies as well.
So look, I mean what was interesting, like is I
went out to the DMZ, which is the border with
(04:30):
North Korea South Korea, and you know that war never
came to an end. It's just a permanent ceasefire for
the last seventy years as the balloons are going up
and the flying trash over us. But yesually we've got
New Zealand personnel which I've tripled into the peninsula because
what strikes you is man because the piece has been
achieved through a ceasefire a bit difficult at times, that
(04:51):
has enabled huge prosperity for South Korea to become the
fourteenth largest economy in the world. Our six biggest trading
partner that has created wealth and opportunity for New Zealand
is here at home. So that's why I keep saying
security is very inextricably linked to economic prosperity, and the
two things go together, you know. And also on that Pinancia,
what was interesting is North Korea is sending ammunition to
(05:13):
Russia to be used in Ukraine, and so we've doubled
our efforts on surveillance to make sure you in sanctions
are being monitored, working with ten other countries up there
as well. So you know, that's why security. If you
don't have security, as we've seen in Ukraine, yep, that
causes economic pain and suffering Western Europe around the developed
world with green prices. So these two things go together,
(05:33):
and that's what I'm trying to get people to understand.
Speaker 1 (05:35):
Okay, so there seems to be considered pushed by the
Biden White House to do something before jan twenty and
their administration ends. Is it possible between now and then,
which is not far away given we're in the middle
of September, but we will see something with Orcas two
and this country.
Speaker 2 (05:48):
No. No, I think I think the conversations that officials
have been having are pretty you know that they're still
pretty unclear the three countries. I think about what the
two is actually about. I think that's what Jake Sullivan
was a leading to and I think we'll continue to
make progress, but we can only move at the pace
that you know they want to engage with they're able
to engage as well.
Speaker 1 (06:08):
That thing yesterday where you were back and forward about
stuff you talk about in the cabinet and don't and
things you might have seen or might not have seen.
Do you regret at any point allowing Seymour to be
part of the coalition in terms of this Treaty Principles bill,
which for you anyway seems almost now embarrassing.
Speaker 2 (06:26):
Well it's not. I'm actually quite relaxed and calm to
about it. I mean I've been consistent before the election
and since the coalition was put together. I sort of
have a different view on it, which is, look, Manuehellan
is rightly or wrong? They chose MMP. They've done it
several times. That's the electoral system were dealt with. Right.
That's the same as Western Europe. Now, whether I'm in Germany,
whether I'm in Nevlands, at the same deal they put
(06:46):
four or five six party coalitions together in Southeast Asia.
Around in Western Europe we've put a three party coalition together.
We're united on the core that's the economics, after the
law and all the stuff, the public services things. Yes,
we have differences on an issue like this and we
find a compromise. That's what we're expected to do in
an MP.
Speaker 1 (07:04):
About it. But I look at what you went through yesterday.
Just look at what you went through yesterday. That's all
we seem to be able to be talking about in
this country. Well, I'm trying to raise this morning is
some big picture stuff that's actually quite important. But you're
bogged down and going what did David saying do you
see this and so that that stuff you could have
avoided if you didn't get bogged down in the first place.
Speaker 2 (07:24):
Well, I'm trying not to get bogged down. I'm pretty
clear about just restating our position. It gets pretty tiring
because you know, you just saying the same thing over
and over again because the position is pretty clear. But
to be honest, I'm focused on how do I rebuild
the economy, get it growing, how do I fix law
and order, whether it and how to do health and
education And those are things, frankly, whether you're Maori or
non Maori, that you actually want fixed and sorted in
this country. So you know, look, I appreciate the press
(07:46):
gallery here and Wellington. You can obsess on that, and
others will have different views on it across the country
and they're entitled to do so to liberal democracy. But
you know, I know what what I stand for in
that position, and we've got a compromise. David and act
didn't get what they wanted. I didn't get what I wanted.
But when I an m MP, it's a coalition. The
positions what it is people want to put boys to
that I'm pretty clear about it.
Speaker 1 (08:08):
Okay, speaking of Mari, have you got some sort of
is there some sort of conspiracy or subterfuge going on
in the public service in this country? So the Hawk's
Bay Health run a program for Maor youth and you're
at the front of the queue with you Mara Ritti
intervenes yesterday and says, that's not the way we do it.
Stop it now, you go. I'm changing the rules on
Maori seats and Maurray wards at local levels. First thing
(08:30):
that is, oh, we're going to ring a lawyer. Is
there something going on within the public service of this
country that is actively fighting against what you were trying
to do? Well?
Speaker 2 (08:40):
I mean they've had to adjust to a new government
that's got very clear direction and you know, as you know,
I've got targets, I've got you know, got quarterly action plans,
We've got six monthly reviews for ministers. We're running things
very differently right and so it is a change. But
I'd have to say the public service is increasingly getting
on board with what we're trying to do. My conversations
with the ces and the ministers when they come into
(09:01):
my office regularly to talk about you know, tonight would
be health. I got a monitoring, I've less de Levy
in the room, I have Shane Retcy in the room,
Doocy others and we talk about those issues. So look,
I think they are getting on board. But that was
particularly sort of felt like quite a rogue decision, which
was in Shane really good on and we gone immediately
spoke to the Health Musialan officials and enough confirment. They've
(09:22):
substately changed that policy. But you know, we believe that
your target healthcare based on needs, not ethnicity, and so
you know that's a fundamental principle and that's the way
it should be. So yeah, I'm not sure why they
had that criteria or had they changed their criteria free GPS.
Speaker 1 (09:40):
My question the law simple, you run the country like
it or not. You run the country. Is somebody there
going that stun you? Well, I don't know. Well, you
don't run health policy. It's very clear.
Speaker 2 (09:56):
And yet they are correct, and that's why we make
it very clear. Made it clear, I thought in opposition
and in the election campaign, and we've made it clear
since we've come to government and where it doesn't happen.
Good to see Shane ready stepping up and sorting it
out very quickly within a day. But look, the bottom
line is, Mike, you know, I've got to get the
you've got to get the country out of the ditch.
We've got to get into first and second gear, into
(10:17):
third and fourth and moving forward. And honestly, I'm focused on,
to be honest, some other things, which is economy, law
and order to health education, you know, So we'll do
that to the best term.
Speaker 1 (10:26):
Yeah, I appreciate your time, Prime Minister Chrystopher Luxum. For
more from the Mic Asking Breakfast, listen live to news
talks that'd be from six am weekdays, or follow the
podcast on iHeartRadio.
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.
The Joe Rogan Experience
The official podcast of comedian Joe Rogan.
Dateline NBC
Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Special Summer Offer: Exclusively on Apple Podcasts, try our Dateline Premium subscription completely free for one month! With Dateline Premium, you get every episode ad-free plus exclusive bonus content.