Unlucky Luxon's popularity hits new low

A recent poll found 49% of New Zealanders have an unfavourable impression of Prime Minister Christopher Luxon. Photo / Mark Mitchell
KEY FACTS
Despite economic challenges, Christopher Luxon remains safe as National Party leader, but faces a difficult potential second term.
According to this week's Freshwater Strategy-Post poll, Luxon is now as unpopular as Te Pāti Māori (TPM).
The poll found that 49% of New Zealanders have an unfavourable impression

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Matariki celebrated across NZ with ceremony and reflection

New Zealanders right around the country have been celebrating Matariki, with many of them up well before dawn to watch the rising of the star cluster which heralds the start of the Māori New Year. It became an official public holiday only in 2022, but it's already become one of our most meaningful days and the first holiday to recognise Te Ao Māori. It was the first new public holiday since Waitangi Day became a public holiday in 1974. The date of Matariki changes from year to year, but it will always fall in June or July. A public holiday is held for Matariki on June 20, 2025. (Source: Ngāti Rangi hosted this year's national Matariki ceremony at Tirorangi Marae at the base of Mount Ruapehu. ADVERTISEMENT Iwi spokesperson Che Wilson told 1News it was a "huge honour" to be the first marae to host the national holiday ceremony. "It's truly a privilege to welcome everyone here," he said. "It means a great deal to us." Wilson explained that the Matariki celebrations would include offering karakia to specific stars in alignment with their Puanga traditions. "In our Puanga narrative, we'll offer them to four atua – Tāne, Rongo, Tangaroa, and Maru [the gods of forest, cultivated food, the sea, and war]." The Māori Queen, politicians, and dignitaries attended the national ceremony. Māori Development Minister Tama Potaka said having events across the country was a "real kotahitanga moment". "To bring it to national presence and international presence is something that connects us to the universe, and that's really important for us, that we see our tikanga as a way of life, as a daily platform for kotahitanga. And for me, it also connects to many, many other people from throughout the world." ADVERTISEMENT It was also a poignant moment for European Union ambassador to New Zealand Lawrence Meredith, who lost his father when he was young. "This whole transition for the ancestors is a really powerful message, the idea that ancestors become stars," he said. Hautapu ceremony at Auckland's Bastion Point this morning. (Source: 1News) Hundreds gathered at Auckland's Bastion Point to ring in the Māori New Year this morning with a hautapu ceremony. Food and steam were offered to the stars of Matariki as an offering of thanks from the umu or hāngī. The kai that is prepared for the hautapu connects to four different whetū (stars) in the Matariki cluster: Seafood with the star Waitā; freshwater kai with the star Waitī; kai from above the ground with the star Tupuārangi; and kai from the earth with the star Tupuānuku. Many were up well before dawn to watch the rising of the star cluster. (Source: 1News) ADVERTISEMENT Kingi Makoare (Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei) said it was awesome to see the eagerness from people to learn about Māori culture. "It's heartwarming to see people really interested in us." Fiona Smith (Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei) added that it was a "great reflection of what New Zealand really should be". "Together, collaborative right from the beginning, standing shoulder to shoulder, doing things together, holding hands together." A maumaharatanga ceremony on Mauao/Mount Maunganui. (Source: 1News) In Tauranga, people of all ages summitted Mauao / Mount Maunganui before dawn for a remembrance of loved ones who had died in the past year. Te Puna I Rangiriri trust chairman Jack Thatcher led the maumaharatanga ceremony and said it was a "very emotional" morning. ADVERTISEMENT Maumaharatanga translates to memorial, memory or recollection. Grieving families and friends were invited to place their hands on the monument Te Tapuātea o Mauao and call out the names of their loved ones. "We have people bringing a lot of hurt. To call out the names of the loved ones that they're missing gives them a chance to heal and carry on," Thatcher said.

Scoop

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Bougainville And Papua New Guinea Struggle To Find Common Ground

The Bougainville Attorney-General says the autonomous region and the Papua New Guinea government may sign an agreement on the way ahead in their push for independence next week. A week of talks at Burnham Camp in New Zealand last week failed to produce a political agreement on implementing implement the outcome of the 2019 Bougainville Referendum. However, further talks, again mediated by former New Zealand Governor-General Sir Jerry Mateparae, are scheduled to go ahead next week. Ezekiel Masatt told the Post-Courier that Bougainville "firmly rejected" PNG's renewed proposals for "free association" and "confederation". He added that the talks cannot progress constructively until the PNG government is willing to openly pronounce the word "independence." Bougainville put forward what it called a "Melanesian Solution" with the autonomous region being granted some sovereign powers immediately. Former Papua New Guinea MP, Sir John Kaputin, has called for the leaders of PNG to listen to Bougainville, and for the leaders of Bougainville to be serious about their duties on behalf of their people. Sir John was closely involved in the cease fire in Bougainville in 1998, after being appointed the special State negotiator by Sir Rabbie Namaliu. He has told the Post Courier this week that "It's a two-way thing that leaders of Bougainville must be serious about their leadership among our people and it's up for the National Government to listen to what they are proposing." he said. Former PNG chief secretary Isaac Lupari has called for caution on Bougainville's push for independence. He pointed out that the national constitution does not allow for any part of the country to secede. Lupari is quoted in the Post-Courier saying "the pathway for determining Bougainville's future is enshrined in our National Constitution which makes it clear that the decision-making authority in relation to the Bougainville referendum results rests with the National Parliament."

RNZ News

8 hours ago

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Prime Minister Christopher Luxon holds talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Chinese President Xi Jinping shook hands in front of photographers. Photo: Office of the Prime Minister Prime Ministr Christopher Luxon has held talks with one of the world's most powerful people, Chinese President Xi Jinping, who began by acknowledging "ups and downs" in the bilateral relationship. The highly anticipated meeting took place on Friday afternoon (NZT) at the grand Great Hall of the People on the edge of Beijing's Tiananmen Square. As is custom, the two men shook hands in front of photographers before taking their seats on either side of a long table. In his brief introductory remarks, Xi said now was a time to build on the two countries' past achievements and "strive for new progress". "The China-New Zealand relationship has experienced many ups and downs, but we have always respected each other and worked together," he said, through a translator. Xi also acknowledged the NZ government's recent move to relax visa requirements for Chinese travellers coming from Australia. "This will facilitate people to people exchanges, and I appreciate it." Chinese President Xi Jinping during talks with Prime Minister Christopher Luxon on 20 June, 2025 (NZT). Photo: Office of the Prime Minister Xi said he had been "very impressed" by Luxon during their first meeting on the sidelines of APEC in November. "I remember that you said that you wish to further advance bilateral relations on the basis of our past partnership and friendship," he said. "I appreciate your positive attitude, and I'm ready to work together with you for new progress." In response, Luxon described the bilateral relationship as being "long-standing" and of "great consequence" to New Zealand. "The relationship has flourished under your leadership," Luxon said. "We have big ambitions to grow the New Zealand economy, and building trade between New Zealand and China is a really important contribution to that." New Zealand's dialogue with China was more important than ever before at a time of "increasing global uncertainty and strain", Luxon said. "The world looks to China as a major global power to play a constructive role in addressing many of the challenges that are facing us all. "Stability in our region and our deep and abiding support for the rules-based system are fundamental to New Zealand's interest. "Our long standing connections and cooperation supports us to continue our positive, constructive, open and comprehensive discussions, as partners should do," he said. Christopher Luxon during talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping on 20 June, 2025 (NZT). Photo: Office of the Prime Minister Media were then escorted from the room before the start of the formal engagement. Luxon is expected to take questions from media later this evening. He earlier met with China's number three, Zhao Leji, Chairman of the National People's Congress standing committee, also in the Great Hall. In translated opening remarks, Zhao described New Zealand as a "sincere friend and cooperation partner" and said the partnership had maintained a "good momentum". In reply, Luxon acknowledged the "depth and breadth" of the bilateral relationship. He said ongoing dialogue was critical to progressing opportunities and engaging on differences. The meeting came a day after revelations New Zealand paused nearly $20 million of funding for the Cook Islands after the agreements it signed with China earlier this year. The government's dispute is primarily with the Cook Islands for failing to first consult New Zealand, but it speaks to a broader disagreement with China over its increasing assertiveness. In a press conference on Thursday, China Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun described both New Zealand and the Cook Islands as "important cooperation partners" but also offered a more pointed statement. "China's cooperation with the Cook Islands does not target any third party and should not be disrupted or restrained by any third party," Jiakun said. The Xi meeting took place against a backdrop of global volatility with Israel and Iran in open warfare, with the United States and China backing opposing sides. Both Luxon and Foreign Minister Winston Peters have recently described the China-NZ relationship as "complex", highlighting differences over human rights and militarisation in the Pacific. On Thursday, AFP reported that NZ diplomats had privately warned China tried to mislead foreign governments by playing down the importance of a nuclear-capable missile test over the Pacific Ocean in September. A perceived tilt towards the United States has also prompted concern from former political leaders - including Helen Clark and Don Brash - who this month warned the "special relationship" could be in jeopardy. Luxon earlier dismissed the warnings as wrong and "a bit simplistic" - and said the relationship was mature and multi-faceted. Immediately after the Xi meeting, Luxon was expected to take part in an event promoting New Zealand fruit and then the launch of a new tourism campaign to lure Chinese holidayers. Luxon will return to the Great Hall of the People on Friday evening for the final event of his trip: an official welcome ceremony and then meeting with his counterpart Premier Li Qiang. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.