Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has declined to offer any evidence to back his side of a conflict with his Foreign Affairs Minister's office, saying he has "nothing more to add".
In an interview with RNZ today, Luxon stood firm: "I've just told you my side of the story. It's in the statement."
Luxon's statement - issued yesterday - claimed a bombshell document release from Winston Peters' office had "mischaracterised" Luxon's position on the war in Iran.
The published emails - from early March - showed Peters' team pushing back against Luxon's "preference for more explicit public support" of the US-led airstrikes.
But in his first media interview on the topic, Luxon denied that had been his "preference" at the time.
He told RNZ he had simply been testing New Zealand's position - which was to "acknowledge" the strikes - against that of Australia and Canada, which had used the word "support".
"I challenge the advice I receive. I'm pro-New Zealand, not pro-US."
Luxon said, ultimately, all public government statements reflected his view and would not be issued otherwise: "It's as simple as that."
"I'm the Prime Minister of New Zealand. It's quite right that I test our position versus others... And what we came out with, I fully support. That's exactly what I believe... otherwise it wouldn't have been said."
When releasing the documents to media, a spokesperson for Peters added that Luxon's suggested course of action had been "imprudent" and "counter to New Zealand's national interests".
Peters has not retracted that remark, nor responded to the claims of mischaracterisation, though he has admitted it was a "mistake" not to consult Luxon before releasing the emails.
RNZ lodged a request with Luxon's office for any documentation which might prove that Peters' office got the PM's position wrong.
Asked directly whether he would release such evidence, Luxon said he had already laid out his version of events.
"I've really got nothing more to add."
Luxon's statement yesterday also included his strongest criticism yet of Peters, questioning his judgement and motives.
"The decision to release these discussions to the media clearly put politics ahead of the national interest," the statement said.
Asked whether Peters therefore remained fit for his role as Foreign Affairs Minister, Luxon repeatedly refused to engage.
"I'm just not getting into it," Luxon told RNZ. "I've said everything I want to say about it."
This story was first published on rnz.co.nz |  |
