Christopher Luxon’s problem with MMP is really a problem with National’s identity – Adam Pearse

Opinion byDeputy Political Editor·NZ Herald·6 Aug, 2026 06:24 AM6 mins to readAdam Pearse is Deputy Political Editor for the New Zealand Herald based in the gallery in Wellington.‌THE FACTS: Prime Minister Christopher Luxon told Newstalk ZB he would support a referendum on MMP if he were re-electedLuxon said National should be given more support so the party didn’t have to share Cabinet with ‘some yahoo and numpty’. NZ First leader Winston Peters said there could be ‘interesting repercussions’ for Luxon.OPINIONThroughout his first term in Government, Christopher Luxon has repeatedly shrugged off any suggestion of coalition division as simply the maturing of New Zealand’s MMP voting system.It appears we have flown straight through the maturing phase and should be considering MMP’s retirement. Unfortunately for