WELLINGTON: New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon on Wednesday announced that the country will hold its next general election on November 7, as he highlighted his government’s record on economic recovery and crime reduction.
Speaking to reporters, Luxon said the timing of the election was influenced partly by the nation’s sporting calendar, noting that the poll will take place about a month after the All Blacks host Australia, a major event in the sports-loving country.
Recent polling suggests a close contest. The latest Taxpayers Union/Curia survey, released last month, showed the opposition Labour Party holding a narrow lead with 31.6 percent, compared to 30.0 percent for Luxon’s conservative National Party. However, the poll indicated that Luxon’s coalition government would still retain power with the backing of its partner parties.
Luxon pledged that his government would continue to “deliver on our plan to fix the basics,” arguing that significant progress has been made since taking office.
“When we came into government, the country was heading in the wrong direction,” Luxon said. “It has taken a lot of hard work over the last two years to start turning things around.”
He said economic conditions were improving, citing rising business and consumer confidence, growth in building and manufacturing, and strong export performance. The prime minister also noted that inflation has fallen from around seven percent under the previous government to below three percent.
Luxon highlighted a free trade agreement with India, adding that legislation to formally enshrine the deal is expected to pass later this year.
On law and order, the prime minister praised his government’s record, saying police presence had increased and crime levels had fallen.
“Police are more visible on the beat, there are 38,000 fewer victims of crime, youth offending is down by 16 percent, and ram raids have dropped by 85 percent,” he said.
