Luxon signals ‘serious shake-up’ of local government as parties gear up for 2026
Sunday, 23 November 2025
As New Zealanders head towards the Christmas season, politicians are winding up to election mode, National kicking off its first election policy and Labour choosing its candidates for the Capital.
Politicians have one week off Parliament, expected to go back and work in their electorates and communities, before returning for another scrutiny week, which consists of back to back select committee meetings to question about government spending.
On Saturday and Sunday, Labour cemented its capital city contestants for election 2026.
The party confirmed CTU economist Craig Renney as its candidate for the new Wellington Bays electorate.
For the Greens this week, Tamatha Paul, the Wellington Central MP, has her selection meeting on Thursday night for Wellington North. She was not aware of anyone going up against her when asked.
Rongotai MP Julie Anne Genter said the Green Party selection for Wellington Bays was on Wednesday, and she believed she was only candidate.
National’s Nicola Willis, who previously ran in Wellington Central and Ōhāriu, said earlier this week there was no update on the National Party candidate selection for the new Wellington North electorate.
Asked if that would be something that interested her, Willis repeated there were no updates.
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon launched National’s election campaign with a party promise to pull KiwiSaver contribution rates up to a combined 12% contribution rate for employers and employees.
He delivered his speech in the Hutt Valley infront of the slogan, ‘Fixing the basics Building the Future.“
If that was National’s campaign slogan, Luxon said, “haven't thought about that yet, but I mean, that's clearly very much what our focus is”.
Luxon also signalled a “serious shake up” for local body was imminent and tied to Resource Management Act reform.
“No doubt about it, there is going to be a shake up in local government as well,” Luxon said.
“As I've said before, we've got way too many layers of government in New Zealand. It just leads to endless bureaucracy, lots of red tape, and it's not getting things done or built. And so we have to simplify the system.”
For Te Pāti Māori, a hui took place in Northland on Sunday with Te Tai Tokerau MP Mariameno Kapa-Kingi. Earlier this month, Te Pāti Māori national executive expelled Kapa-Kingi and Tākuta Ferris from the party.
RNZ reported Te Tumu Whakahaere (general manager) of Te Rūnanga-ā- iwi o Ngāpuhi Moana Tuwhare was not happy about leadership not attending the hui.
The Post was told the hui consisted of a nine hour wānanga and kōrero with Te Tai Tokerau.