Lara Zijl 
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has taken the unusual step of rebuking his Cabinet colleagues, David Seymour and Shane Jones, for their recent criticisms of the Waitangi Tribunal, labeling their comments as “ill-considered.” Luxon, speaking from the Philippines during the final leg of his Southeast Asian tour, expressed his disapproval of Seymour and Jones’ remarks and indicated that he would address the matter directly with them upon his return.
Seymour, leader of the ACT Party, had lambasted the Tribunal following its summons of Karen Chhour, one of his MPs, for her refusal to provide evidence in an inquiry related to the repeal of section 7AA of the Oranga Tamariki Act. Jones, meanwhile, voiced his opinion that the Tribunal had exceeded its mandate.
Luxon emphasized the importance of good judgment and discretion among his ministers, noting that criticism of the judiciary, as implied by Seymour and Jones’ comments, could potentially contravene the Cabinet Manual. He underscored his intention to reinforce this expectation to both ministers upon their next interaction.
The Prime Minister’s comments came amid his diplomatic engagements in the Philippines, where he engaged in discussions with President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Romualdez Marcos concerning regional security issues, particularly the tensions in the South China Sea. Luxon reiterated New Zealand’s commitment to advocating for peaceful conflict resolution in accordance with international law.
On the domestic front, Luxon defended his government’s decision to implement cuts in the public service, emphasizing a shift towards prioritizing frontline services over administrative functions. However, concerns have been raised regarding the potential impact of these cuts on various sectors, including mental health services. Luxon acknowledged the upcoming Budget as a critical juncture in determining the government’s fiscal approach, highlighting the importance of striking a balance between fiscal responsibility, service provision, and economic growth.
