On 14 October, Christopher Luxon was asked in a televised
leaders’ debate whether he had ever lied to the public. He
said no.
A new independent analysis released today
puts that answer to the test. Christopher Luxon: Bending
the Truth, Jeopardising our Future?, by researcher Dr
John Wilcox, works through Luxon’s and National’s recent
statements one by one and checks each against Stats NZ data,
Treasury forecasts, Advertising Standards Authority rulings,
Auditor-General findings and mainstream news reporting.
Every claim is footnoted so voters can verify it
themselves.
Some of the top level claims
covered:
Crime ad, wrong government. A
National ad urging voters to “never forget” Labour’s
record used crime footage that multiple outlets confirmed
was filmed during National’s own
term.
The KiwiSaver claim. The ASA
found National’s flyer claiming Labour’s capital gains
tax would “hit” KiwiSaver breached its truthful
presentation principle, and told National to stop using
it.
Gangs versus police. Luxon
committed in 2023 to more sworn police than gang members.
1News reported this year that gang members now outnumber
police officers.
Minimum wage. Luxon
said his government has “more or less” lifted the
minimum wage in line with inflation. Official figures show
increases of 2%, 1.5% and 1.9% against inflation of 4%, 2.5%
and 3.1%.
“Our plan is working.”
Unemployment has risen to its worst level in over a decade,
and the government’s own June 2026 data shows Jobseeker
numbers rising despite a target to cut them by
50,000.
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“United” caucus. Luxon
declared full caucus support on the same day he confirmed
Chris Penk had launched a leadership challenge, and
dismissed him from Cabinet.
Many more claims
are analysed in the document.
“Honesty is important
in governance… New Zealanders deserve a government that
earns their vote through demonstrable integrity and
competence, not through lies and
trickery.”
