Overview
- National Party lawmakers backed Christopher Luxon on Tuesday in a confidence vote he requested to test his leadership.
- The vote took place behind closed doors as a secret ballot, and party officials did not disclose the margin.
- Only members in the room could vote, and several MPs were absent after bad weather canceled flights into Wellington.
- Luxon told reporters the result ends a “media soap opera” over leaks and dissent, and he said the leadership issue is closed.
- Recent surveys show National struggling to top 30 percent and Luxon trailing Chris Hipkins as preferred prime minister, casting doubt on the coalition’s prospects in the November 7 election.