Christopher Luxon defends use of second plane for Pacific mission

Thursday 3 September 2026 · 6 outlets · 4 reports · updated Thu 3 Sep, 3:24pm

In this story Christopher Luxon, New Zealand Defence Force, Royal New Zealand Air Force, Pacific Islands Forum

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has defended the deployment of two RNZAF Boeing 757s for the Pacific Islands Forum in Palau. While one aircraft is travelling to the meeting, a second is being held in Cairns as a backup. Luxon stated the deployment was a Defence Force decision.

How they headlined it

2:12pm3:24pm

1. 1News via RNZThu 3 Sep, 2:12pm

   Luxon defends extra overseas plane after criticising Hipkins (opens in new tab)

2. The Post via RNZThu 3 Sep, 2:49pm

   Christopher Luxon defends taking second plane overseas after criticising Hipkins for same (opens in new tab)

   Also on The Press (opens in new tab), Waikato Times (opens in new tab)

3. Otago Daily TimesThu 3 Sep, 3:24pm

   Luxon defends second plane for Pacific forum (opens in new tab)

4. StuffThu 3 Sep, 3:24pm

   Labour MP says Luxon and Peters ‘can’t even share the same plane’ after NZ sends two to Pacific Islands Forum (opens in new tab)