100-day plan focus for new prime minister
Monday, 27 November 2023
Getting the 100-day plan of action signed off by Cabinet will be one of the first things new Prime Minister Christopher Luxon wants to achieve.
He was sworn in as the 42nd Prime Minister of New Zealand on Monday. Nineteen other MPs became Cabinet ministers in a solemn ceremony at Government House this morning.
“It is a huge honour to be appointed Prime Minister,” Luxon said at the ceremony in Wellington today.
“I think we have a ministry of a strong, productive unified team that will deliver for all New Zealanders . And I know that each and every one of our ministers here take their duties and responsibilities very seriously.”
Families, friends and staffers watched on as most of the new ministers took their oaths with the Bible, while about 10 took the affirmation of allegiance.
After the swearing in, Luxon said he hoped to get over to Australia as his first official visit as prime minister.
He said they have their first Cabinet meeting on Tuesday and the second on Wednesday.
“Our focus for this week is actually to prepare our 100 day plan of action and to have that signed off through Cabinet through the course of this week,” he said.
“We'll work out how best to implement all the commitments that we've made over the coalition, but some of that won't will happen the first 100 days.“
Asked how quickly he wanted layoffs in the public sector, Luxon said, “as quickly as possible”.
“We want a 6.5% savings generated out of the public service, we want CEOs to actually determine how best to deliver those savings.
“Whether it’s stopping programmes that we’re no longer supporting, redirecting resources behind things that are important to us in a new government, maybe not filling the vacancies that exist in current roles, and importantly having a look at headcount and making sure that that everyone employed is actually hooked up to one of the big objectives and tasks that we have.”
Outside of Cabinet, there will be five ministers from National, two from ACT and one from NZ First.
The ministers take an oath and can take the affirmation of allegiance or swear on the Bible.
National MP Tama Potaka swore his allegiance in te reo Māori while fellow National MP Melissa Lee also swore her allegiance in Korean and English.
The first Cabinet meeting will be held on Tuesday, when largely procedural matters will be covered, such as endorsing the Cabinet Manual and the coalition agreements.
Luxon said the Government will hold a “couple” of Cabinet meetings this week, keeping the new ministers busy ahead of the official opening of Parliament.
The Speech from the Throne, setting out Luxon’s vision for the next three years, will be held next week on the second sitting day of the Parliamentary term.
It is given by the Governor-General when the State Opening of Parliament is held.
Luxon said they would be “ready to go for the fifth of December”, kicking off the Parliamentary term next Tuesday.
Parliament will sit up to about five days before Christmas, with Luxon wielding a hefty wish-list of promises to get through before December 25.
Incoming Finance Minister Nicola Willis will need to compile her ‘mini-Budget’ by the Half Year Economic and Fiscal Update, usually held mid-December.
The Government has also promised to repeal the Fair Pay Agreement regime and the RMA reform laws, the Natural and Built Environment Act and the Spatial Planning Act, by Christmas.
Chris Hipkins resigned his position as prime minister at 9.30am. “It has been an enormous privilege and honour to serve as Prime Minister for the past 10 months. From floods and cyclones to a King’s Coronation, it’s been quite a ride!
Later he congratulated Luxon on his appointment.
“I wish Mr Luxon and his coalition partners well.
“New Zealand has been through some tough times but we are seeing the economy turning a corner, wages growing and climate emissions reducing. I hope this progress continues.
“I also encourage the new Government to commit to continue funding the public services that New Zealanders need and rely on.”