Incoming prime minister Christopher Luxon finally gave a substantive update on negotiations yesterday, declaring the National Party had settled matters regarding policy with Act New Zealand and New Zealand First.
While both Act’s David Seymour and NZ First’s Winston Peters clarified there were still final checks to be done, including briefing party boards, all three leaders appeared to agree conversations about policy differences were largely behind them after more than two weeks of talks following the publication of the final election result.
Still to come is confirmation that Act and NZ First have agreed to the deals each has struck with National. Mr Peters, who saw Act’s deal on Sunday night, had been discussing it with Mr Seymour yesterday morning and did not voice any concerns.
The makeup of Cabinet and allocation of ministerial portfolios are the final major hurdles left in negotiations.
Mr Luxon said he and Mr Peters had talked about ministerial posts during their 90-minute discussion at Auckland’s Cordis Hotel yesterday, but would not specify how far the pair had progressed.
Mr Peters was coy upon leaving the hotel, saying the matter was a "work in progress".
The confirmation that policy issues had been largely resolved came after talks appeared stuck in what leaders called the "final stages" since Thursday.
All three had talked in Auckland since Wednesday, holding regular meetings at two hotels and by phone.
The trio had been unable to give any meaningful update for several days as the parties debated a few remaining policy disagreements.
However, Mr Luxon yesterday afternoon lauded the "significant milestone" of having "closed down and agreed policy programmes" with Act and NZ First.
"That’s a major achievement," he said.
"I really do appreciate everybody’s patience with the process, but I do believe it will actually make for a much stronger government."
He accepted all parties had made trade-offs in order to reach agreements.
Mr Peters initially appeared unaware Mr Luxon would make such a statement to media and did not answer questions until after his meeting yesterday with Mr Luxon.
On his way out, Mr Peters clarified there was still some cross-checking required and other "logistics" to address.
Mr Seymour said last night Mr Luxon did not jump the gun but could have been too enthusiastic.
"He’s not entirely wrong — we are very, very close — but there are a few i’s to dot and t’s to cross before we finish the policy part of it."
Mr Seymour noted nothing had been signed yet, as the respective leaders were yet to bring the agreed policies back to their parties.
"Until you do those things, you haven’t actually agreed," he said.
He was reluctant to suggest when a deal would be settled but, when pushed, accepted it could be "a day or so away".
Alongside ministerial positions, the role of deputy prime minister would be confirmed in conversations to come.
Neither Mr Seymour nor Mr Peters would say whether either of them had been named in the role.
— The New Zealand Herald
