Incoming Prime Minister Christopher Luxon plans to shorten the Parliamentary close down period over summer.
He told Morning Report when the new government is formed, Parliament will run for longer before Christmas and he expects it will need to start earlier in the new year.
Asked if everyone is aware of this he says: "Well no disrespect but that's what happens for the rest of the country, New Zealanders...work up till Christmas, they take Christmas break and then they get back into it in the new year. It's very similar here I think."
There is work to do, he says.
"New Zealanders voted for change, we've got a lot to get through, if we start earlier and have to finish later, so be it."
Good progress is being made in coalition talks with ACT and New Zealand First, but "there's still a long way to go".
A final deal will need to wait until the 570,000 special votes are counted by November 3.
"We're using the time between now and the special votes to make sure that we continue to move things forward."
The talks have been moved to Auckland as a matter of logistics, though they are not exclusively in the city, he says.
"We're following a process, trust the process, I know it's different and it's frustrating for people but we've got to just work through this process to make sure we've got a good, strong stable government."
The process will take as long as it takes, he says.
Luxon will not be going to the Rugby World Cup final as he says his focus is on forming a government.
"But I'm very proud of the All Blacks...and I'm very confident we're going to win."
New Zealand's position on Israel-Gaza
Luxon was asked what he is being told about the situation in Gaza.
"I think it's important the government is the government until the new government's formed, they're taking the lead of New Zealand's response to the situation," he says.
"They're doing a good job of keeping us closely involved and informed and also consulted during that transition period but the bottom line is that we condemn Hamas' terrorist attacks on Israel and we support Israel's rights to defend itself. We do want to see both sides acting in full compliance with international law and their obligations."
Asked if it's important New Zealand uses its voice on the international stage, Luxon says he understands there will be an opportunity to do that at the UN and there will be a statement made at that time.
"But right now the priority is the protection of civilians and humanitarian assistance and making sure those corridors are opened up to be able to get relief to people but as I said, our position's pretty clear and united..."
The New Zealand government is contributing $5 million to address urgent humanitarian needs in Israel, Gaza and the West Bank.
The decision for aid has been made after consultation with Luxon, outgoing Prime Minister Chris Hipkins' statement on the aid funding read.



2 comments
ABOUT TIME
Posted on 25-10-2023 20:13 | By The Caveman
They work less than HALF the year..Time to get into the REAL world !!!!
...Very positive........
Posted on 26-10-2023 18:18 | By groutby
...this is a refreshing approach from an incoming government and a country with a whole lot of work to do, needed to achieve our recovery...so let's hope when Mr Luxon and his coalition can get to work after the final result is known, we will then understand what is required from us to recover from the last two terms of chaos....Messrs Uffindell and Rutherford, please get in the news (for good reasons:) as soon as you can, we look forward to hearing the aims and ambitions for our district....
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