‘100% behind Chris’: Mark Mitchell rules out standing for National leader

Monday, 20 April 2026

Senior National Minister Mark Mitchell says he’s “absolutely” ruling out the possibility of going for the party’s leadership as speculation swirls around the prime minister’s future in the role.

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon told media this morning he estimated there were five “moaning and frustrated” National MPs talking to reporters, but he will deal with the issue at Tuesday’s caucus.

Both the prime minister and Mark Mitchell arrived into the capital on the same flight from Auckland facing media on their way through Wellington Airport’s terminal.

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Luxon did not stop, saying reporters did “not need to come all the way out” to the airport, but Mitchell stopped for 6½ minutes saying he was “100% behind Chris”.

“I’m very old school, loyalty matters.”

Mitchell said Tuesday’s caucus meeting would be an opportunity to remind MPs about loyalty and unity.

“I just think that with everything that's in the media at the moment, it's a good time to remind everyone around the importance that we are here to serve our focus on the people of New Zealand.”

He said the prime minister was fully focused on what he should be.

“That is the fact we've got conflict in the Middle East, We have a fuel crisis, and we've got to make sure that we position our best as a country.”

Nobody had contacted him about support over the weekend, Mitchell said.

On Sunday night the TVNZ/Verian poll showed National crashing to 30%, with no path to power for Luxon.

Labour leader Chris Hipkins was ahead in the preferred prime ministerial stakes.

Hipkins was down one point to 19% but ahead of Luxon, who was on 16% - down four points.