17 Oct 2023

New Zealand's new government lacks Pacific MPs

From , 6:03 am on 17 October 2023
Incoming Prime Minister Christopher Luxon, National deputy leader Nicola Willis and new National MPs.

Photo: RNZ / Samuel Rillstone

New Zealand's election over the weekend has resulted in a change of government with a National-led coalition to take over from Labour.

Pacific leaders fear they will have little to no voice as the new government takes shape.

The former Labour-government had 11 Pacific MPs including Carmel Sepuloni as Deputy Prime Minister. 

However, National only has two possible Pacific MPs which will only be finalised after the special votes are counted.

RNZ Pacific's Caleb Fotheringham was at a Pacific community event in Christchurch on election night and filed this report.