Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has pulled out of his weekly appearance on TVNZ’s Breakfast programme.
Luxon’s office advised the broadcaster this afternoon that he would no longer appear every Monday, as he has during his time as Prime Minister.
Instead Luxon’s availability would be considered on a case-by-case basis.
The Prime Minister’s office said it had reviewed his regular media arrangements late last year and had now decided to update its approach.
"Kiwis get their news in different ways – across radio, television, podcasts and digital platforms, and from next month, there will be three separate morning TV news shows.
"The PM will continue to be available to media, including Breakfast on a case-by-case basis.
"We have separately raised concerns with TVNZ this week about the inappropriate conduct of its staff. New Zealanders want a fair, balanced and accurate media talking to the issues that matter to them. We respect the role of media, but there are standards, and those standards matter."
It is a long-standing convention that the Prime Minister of the day appears on Breakfast on a Monday morning. The programme is hosted by former political editor Tova O’Brien and Chris Chang.
A TVNZ spokeswoman confirmed Luxon would not take part in his regular Monday interview and would decide on further interviews on a case-by-case basis.
"The Prime Minister was last interviewed by Q+A’s Jack Tame in December 2024. Interview requests for 2026 have been declined. Q+A has a standing offer in place,” she said.
"1News is committed to providing accurate, impartial, comprehensive and in-depth news coverage. Editorial independence is fundamental to this and critical for a free and democratic society.
"Part of this is holding those in positions of power to account."
During his time as Prime Minister he has consistently appeared for Monday morning interviews on Breakfast, RNZ and Newstalk ZB.
1News understands Luxon will continue to appear on RNZ and Newstalk ZB.
Luxon’s Breakfast withdrawal follows his criticism of the media over widespread reporting that some National MPs were dissatisfied with his leadership.
The Prime Minister survived a caucus confidence vote in his leadership on Tuesday. He emerged after a marathon 2.5-hour session to make a short statement to reporters, refusing to take questions.
"For the last week, there has been intense media speculation about my leadership – about who said what to whom," Luxon said.
"Today, our caucus had a good, honest discussion. Our team is more determined than ever to serve Kiwis and win the election. To put that media speculation to rest, I moved a formal motion of confidence in my leadership.
"That motion was passed confirming what I have been saying - I have the support of my caucus as their leader.
"Caucus has answered clearly and decisively. It has backed my leadership."
He declared the matter "now closed" and said he would not comment further.
The Prime Minister also took aim at media coverage of his leadership, saying he would no longer respond to “speculation and rumour”.
“Kiwis expect the media to ask us the tough questions about our policies, to hold us to account for our pledges to New Zealanders, and to interrogate us about the things that matter to them. They are not interested in this media soap opera.”
Party MPs gathered in Wellington for the first time in three weeks, after poor polling and continued speculation about Luxon’s leadership. (Source: 1News)
A 1News Verian poll on Sunday recorded National's worst poll result of the term as well as Luxon's lowest preferred PM rating — the latest in a series of polls indicating flagging support for the party and the Prime Minister.
The media reports about Luxon’s leadership included claims that he had ghosted National Party chief whip Stuart Smith’s attempts to contact him before Easter over concerns about flagging support in caucus.
It took Smith four days to deny the reports until Tuesday this week – the day Luxon had survived the caucus confidence vote.
Smith had told a media organisation the previous evening that weather could delay his arrival in Wellington for the caucus meeting.
However on Tuesday morning Smith released a statement through the Prime Minister's office citing a "long-standing personal appointment" as the reason for his caucus absence.
National says complaint lodged against TVNZ
Earlier today, senior National MP Simeon Brown said the party had lodged a complaint with TVNZ in relation to its political staff’s attempts to speak to Stuart Smith at Parliament.
Brown claimed on social media site X today TVNZ staff had followed Smith into a Parliament corridor and "aggressively banged on his door for several minutes".
Brown also alleged that TVNZ staff had "pressured him about how he would be portrayed on Breakfast the following morning if he did not come out to talk to TVNZ".
A TVNZ spokeswoman said the broadcaster had "a different view of what took place".
"Our journalist was asking questions on behalf of the public, as they do every day," she said.
"This story came to light due to leaking from National Party MPs. It was a legitimate story to follow. We look forward to Stuart Smith making himself available to explain his absence from caucus.
"Irrespective, the correct place for complaints to be raised are with the Speaker of the House who has authority over these matters, not with TVNZ or on social media.
"Simeon Brown is well aware of this."
Parliament's Speaker Gerry Brownlee's office said he had read Brown's post, was aware of what happened last week, and "did not have involvement in the complaint being lodged".
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