Prime Minister Luxon has returned from his Pacific tour, after spending the last few days in Niue and Fiji.
Luxon has claimed his first trip to the region has been successful, as he managed to build rapport with Fijian Prime Minister Rabuka and Niue Premier, Tagelagi.
NZ Herald political reporter Adam Pearse says Luxon managed to hold his own with his international counterparts, given the circumstances.
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Speaker 1 (00:06):
You're listening to the Sunday Session podcast with Francesca Rudgin
from News Talks EDB time.
Speaker 2 (00:13):
To talk politics and joining me now as New Zealand
Herald political reporter Adam Pierce.
Speaker 1 (00:17):
Good morning, Adam, good morning.
Speaker 3 (00:19):
How are you good?
Speaker 2 (00:20):
Thank you? You've had a busy week. You've been in
the Islands with the Prime minister. Is that correct?
Speaker 3 (00:24):
Yeah? I mean there's certainly worse places to be, but
you know, it's been great to have an in person
look at how our prime minister goes overseas and in
terms of his foreign affairs work. So yes, he has
been in Neway and Fiji over the past week, a
short trip, a couple of days in each and like
I say, it's been good to see how he navigates
(00:47):
these foreign policy areas, particularly in the Pacific, given the
current circumstances there, and seeing how he fares. It was
his first official trip to the Pacific as Prime Minister,
and he seemed to get on pretty well with his
counterparts a new A premier, doctorin Tonguelaney and Fijian Prime
Minister in the run Booker. I mean, it never hurts
(01:09):
that you've got some money to splash around and obviously
some announcements to make. He was able to put about
twenty one million in Niue for a solar farm, and
then in Fiji was able to drop the transit visas
that Fijian nationals required to transit through or coming to
New Zealand. What also helped was a definite political alignment
(01:32):
with the two leaders, so particularly with the FIJIMPM run Booker.
You know, they had they made speeches to a joint
Business Council conference and both of them talked about cutting
red tape bureaucracy, having both countries open for business. So
that certainly helps getting those relationships off to the right,
(01:53):
on the right foot rather and progressing well, which is
always good science for New Zealand.
Speaker 2 (01:58):
He said all the right things, did all the right things.
Speaker 3 (02:01):
Yeah, there weren't too many gas. I think he managed
to managed to get on pretty well, especially in Fiji.
The rugby banter basically got them through any awkward or
any any loss of conversation through if you're talking talking
with officials or if you're talking with people on the ground.
Obviously there was a bit of a bit of tension
(02:22):
given that Prime Minis Deluction beloved Crusaders were knocked out
of the Super Rugby playoffs by the Fiji and Drewer,
which the FIGMPM took great delight in pointing out in
that gifting Prime Minister Deluxe Aphigi and drew a jersey.
So there was lots of jokes and lots of banter
on that front, which which certainly helped things progress.
Speaker 2 (02:44):
Now to Party Marty has been accused of misuse of
personal data from the census and COVID vaccine information. It
feels like everyone was called in on this one, Adam,
But where has it landed. Who was investigating?
Speaker 3 (02:55):
Well, we've got sets in New Zealand conducting their primary
investigation and it looks like that is going to be
a very very important investigation because talking with Prime Seleuct
over in the Pacific, he was reluctant to get involved
and obviously that it's a very as we've heard this week,
very serious allegations to be able to use this information
(03:17):
for political purposes or for election purposes. So Prime Minister
Elution is retizent to say whether there's the need for
a further inquiry. I've just been people calling for the
Order to General to be involved. However, he is very
keen to wait and see what the stats in New
Zealand investigation comes, what happens out of that investigation, and
(03:37):
I think it will be it will be an important
point to look into what has gone on here. Obviously,
like I said, very serious allegations and it does have
the potential to inflame or further inflame our political environment.
I note we've got Tabati Mahdi President John Tummaheaty writing
to the Prime Minister and the Police Minister and the
(03:58):
Commissioner of Police asking for an urgent investigation into those allegations,
claiming bias and that kind of thing. It's certainly going
to ratchet up the tension. Yeah.
Speaker 2 (04:09):
No, it's a pretty big alligation to get right all wrong,
isn't it, Adam. Today you're covering the Act party conference.
Will they be hoping that a few disgruntled volunteers don't
turn up?
Speaker 3 (04:20):
Yes, Well, there's been a few reports over the last
couple of days that during the campaign some volunteers weren't happy.
I'm not sure they're going to be too phased about that.
Looking at the response from the party, they've said that
they've backed their processes, acknowledged that some people weren't happy
and the party believes that those concerns were addressed. There's
(04:43):
also some issues around council by laws, around billboards. To
be honest, act I don't imagine they'll be two phased
by that. They'll just be wanting to crack on and
show in Today's and you Rally what they've been able
to do in government. Obviously it's very as a coalition party,
it can be quite hard to show, especially when you're
a minority party, show what value you are bringing to
(05:04):
the government and bringing for your voters. I expect they'll
be looking to looking to promote what they have been
able to achieve, reintroduction of charter schools, the money that's
been given to FARMAC through Athleta, David Seymour's Associate Health role,
and then also stuff like school attendance, you know, to
crack down there, which David Seymour has been leading and
(05:25):
then hearing from his ministers, you know, the lights of
Carentour Comackee just really trying to drive home that message
that Yes, Actors is working for for their supporters and
are pushing for real change. As they would say, have.
Speaker 2 (05:40):
A good day, Adam and Joy. Thanks for your time this morning.
Appreciate it. That was New Zealand Heild political reporter Adam Pirsk.
Speaker 1 (05:47):
For more from the Sunday session with Francesca Rudken, listen
live Ton News Talks that Be from nine am Sunday,
or follow the podcast on iHeartRadio
You're listening to the Sunday Session podcast with Francesca Rudgin
from News Talks EDB time.
Speaker 2 (00:13):
To talk politics and joining me now as New Zealand
Herald political reporter Adam Pierce.
Speaker 1 (00:17):
Good morning, Adam, good morning.
Speaker 3 (00:19):
How are you good?
Speaker 2 (00:20):
Thank you? You've had a busy week. You've been in
the Islands with the Prime minister. Is that correct?
Speaker 3 (00:24):
Yeah? I mean there's certainly worse places to be, but
you know, it's been great to have an in person
look at how our prime minister goes overseas and in
terms of his foreign affairs work. So yes, he has
been in Neway and Fiji over the past week, a
short trip, a couple of days in each and like
I say, it's been good to see how he navigates
(00:47):
these foreign policy areas, particularly in the Pacific, given the
current circumstances there, and seeing how he fares. It was
his first official trip to the Pacific as Prime Minister,
and he seemed to get on pretty well with his
counterparts a new A premier, doctorin Tonguelaney and Fijian Prime
Minister in the run Booker. I mean, it never hurts
(01:09):
that you've got some money to splash around and obviously
some announcements to make. He was able to put about
twenty one million in Niue for a solar farm, and
then in Fiji was able to drop the transit visas
that Fijian nationals required to transit through or coming to
New Zealand. What also helped was a definite political alignment
(01:32):
with the two leaders, so particularly with the FIJIMPM run Booker.
You know, they had they made speeches to a joint
Business Council conference and both of them talked about cutting
red tape bureaucracy, having both countries open for business. So
that certainly helps getting those relationships off to the right,
(01:53):
on the right foot rather and progressing well, which is
always good science for New Zealand.
Speaker 2 (01:58):
He said all the right things, did all the right things.
Speaker 3 (02:01):
Yeah, there weren't too many gas. I think he managed
to managed to get on pretty well, especially in Fiji.
The rugby banter basically got them through any awkward or
any any loss of conversation through if you're talking talking
with officials or if you're talking with people on the ground.
Obviously there was a bit of a bit of tension
(02:22):
given that Prime Minis Deluction beloved Crusaders were knocked out
of the Super Rugby playoffs by the Fiji and Drewer,
which the FIGMPM took great delight in pointing out in
that gifting Prime Minister Deluxe Aphigi and drew a jersey.
So there was lots of jokes and lots of banter
on that front, which which certainly helped things progress.
Speaker 2 (02:44):
Now to Party Marty has been accused of misuse of
personal data from the census and COVID vaccine information. It
feels like everyone was called in on this one, Adam,
But where has it landed. Who was investigating?
Speaker 3 (02:55):
Well, we've got sets in New Zealand conducting their primary
investigation and it looks like that is going to be
a very very important investigation because talking with Prime Seleuct
over in the Pacific, he was reluctant to get involved
and obviously that it's a very as we've heard this week,
very serious allegations to be able to use this information
(03:17):
for political purposes or for election purposes. So Prime Minister
Elution is retizent to say whether there's the need for
a further inquiry. I've just been people calling for the
Order to General to be involved. However, he is very
keen to wait and see what the stats in New
Zealand investigation comes, what happens out of that investigation, and
(03:37):
I think it will be it will be an important
point to look into what has gone on here. Obviously,
like I said, very serious allegations and it does have
the potential to inflame or further inflame our political environment.
I note we've got Tabati Mahdi President John Tummaheaty writing
to the Prime Minister and the Police Minister and the
(03:58):
Commissioner of Police asking for an urgent investigation into those allegations,
claiming bias and that kind of thing. It's certainly going
to ratchet up the tension. Yeah.
Speaker 2 (04:09):
No, it's a pretty big alligation to get right all wrong,
isn't it, Adam. Today you're covering the Act party conference.
Will they be hoping that a few disgruntled volunteers don't
turn up?
Speaker 3 (04:20):
Yes, Well, there's been a few reports over the last
couple of days that during the campaign some volunteers weren't happy.
I'm not sure they're going to be too phased about that.
Looking at the response from the party, they've said that
they've backed their processes, acknowledged that some people weren't happy
and the party believes that those concerns were addressed. There's
(04:43):
also some issues around council by laws, around billboards. To
be honest, act I don't imagine they'll be two phased
by that. They'll just be wanting to crack on and
show in Today's and you Rally what they've been able
to do in government. Obviously it's very as a coalition party,
it can be quite hard to show, especially when you're
a minority party, show what value you are bringing to
(05:04):
the government and bringing for your voters. I expect they'll
be looking to looking to promote what they have been
able to achieve, reintroduction of charter schools, the money that's
been given to FARMAC through Athleta, David Seymour's Associate Health role,
and then also stuff like school attendance, you know, to
crack down there, which David Seymour has been leading and
(05:25):
then hearing from his ministers, you know, the lights of
Carentour Comackee just really trying to drive home that message
that Yes, Actors is working for for their supporters and
are pushing for real change. As they would say, have.
Speaker 2 (05:40):
A good day, Adam and Joy. Thanks for your time this morning.
Appreciate it. That was New Zealand Heild political reporter Adam Pirsk.
Speaker 1 (05:47):
For more from the Sunday session with Francesca Rudken, listen
live Ton News Talks that Be from nine am Sunday,
or follow the podcast on iHeartRadio
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