New Zealand PM Luxon survives leadership vote

WELLINGTON: New Zealand prime minister Christopher Luxon survived a leadership vote on Tuesday after a run of poor polls stoked speculation about his future.

The centre-right National Party leader called the vote as his government languishes in opinion polls ahead of November's general election.

Luxon said after a nearly three-hour meeting with his party caucus that he still had the support of his party.

"I moved a formal motion of confidence in my leadership," Luxon said.

"That motion was passed confirming what I have been saying -- I have the support of my caucus as their leader."

Luxon did not say by what margin he won the vote, but claimed he had the unanimous support of his MPs.

The final vote count was kept secret, even from Luxon.

Only party members who attended the caucus meeting were allowed to vote.

Several members were unable to attend in person because of bad weather, which has cancelled many flights into the capital Wellington.

Questions about Luxon's leadership have been mounting in recent months as his party dipped below 30 percent in opinion polling.

His own personal approval rating has also plummeted.

Media reports suggested last week that several members of Luxon's caucus were unhappy with his leadership, with some lawmakers unlikely to return to parliament on current polling.

Luxon said speculation about his future was a "media soap opera".

"If the media want to keep focusing on speculation and rumour, I am not going to engage," Luxon said.

Transport minister Chris Bishop was rumoured to have considered usurping Luxon as leader late last year, but said he had voted for Luxon after a "good, honest, robust" discussion.

"Now we move forward together, united as a team," Bishop said.

Finance minister and deputy National leader Nicola Willis said the "caucus sent an emphatic message", but admitted she did not know the final vote count.

Foreign minister Winston Peters, leader of the populist New Zealand First, said the confidence vote was "egotistical rubbish".