Prime Minister Christopher Luxon called on New Zealanders to adopt a more positive attitude towards growth and development during the National Party’s annual conference at Christchurch’s Air Force Museum.
Speaking to around 550 delegates, MPs, and supporters, Luxon criticised “activists” who oppose initiatives in housing, agriculture, cruise tourism and mining, stressing the need to embrace opportunities to keep Kiwis at home and raise wages.
“If we’re serious about keeping Kiwis at home, creating jobs and increasing wages for all New Zealanders, we can’t afford to keep saying no to every opportunity that comes our way.”
Luxon referenced the migration of 30,000 New Zealanders to Australia last year, which opposition parties blame on his government’s economic policies. He warned that shutting down key industries like mining and energy—as proposed by Labour and the Greens—would only increase emigration.
“Take a look at Australia. If they shut down their mining industry or their energy industry tomorrow, as Labour and the Greens want to do here, I guarantee you would see fewer Kiwis moving across the ditch.”
Addressing global challenges, including a recent 15% tariff increase from the United States, Luxon urged proactive management rather than passivity.
“We can’t just batten down the hatches and hope for the best.”
The speech notably avoided mention of coalition partners ACT and New Zealand First, though Deputy Leader Nicola Willis acknowledged efforts to maintain unity. Luxon blamed the previous Labour government for ongoing cost-of-living issues, saying, “The last government spent billions of dollars in failed handouts, only to watch inflation roar and the economy falter.”
He highlighted recent government measures like tax reforms, the FamilyBoost programme, and scrapping the Auckland Fuel Tax as steps to ease these pressures.
A notable announcement concerned streamlining business concessions on Department of Conservation land to reduce bureaucracy while maintaining necessary protections.
“That means more certainty for businesses, less bureaucracy and much faster decisions, so the businesses that should be operating can get up and running.”
Luxon also announced charges of $20–40 for foreign visitors to popular natural sites such as Cathedral Cove and Milford Sound, with New Zealanders exempt from the fees.
Party president Sylvia Wood was re-elected, and candidate selection for the 2026 election will begin soon. Luxon reaffirmed his commitment to lead the party into the next election and, if successful, serve another three years.
“Everyone’s dealing with a really challenging global environment right now, but what we can do is control what we can control and that New Zealand has a plan.”
He praised the cooperation within the coalition, saying, “I’m very proud of the fact that we’ve worked incredibly well with the three parties in a coalition in the way that we have.”