Luxon backs Nicola Willis following GDP decline

Friday 19 September 2025 · 5 outlets · 8 reports · updated Fri 19 Sep 2025, 3:50pm

In this story Christopher Luxon, Labour Party, Chris Hipkins, Nicola Willis, Reserve Bank of New Zealand, University of Auckland

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has expressed full confidence in Finance Minister Nicola Willis after New Zealand's GDP fell 0.9% in the June quarter. Willis has rejected calls to resign, attributing the economic contraction to US tariffs. While Labour leader Chris Hipkins called for the entire government to resign, he did not specifically demand Willis step down.

How they headlined it

7:53am9:03am10:44am2:04pm

1. StuffFri 19 Sep 2025, 7:53am

   John Key backs Nicola Willis, says Government ‘hasn't had a mate in the Reserve Bank’ (opens in new tab)

   • Live: Nicola Willis hits back after onslaught of criticism following latest GDP slump (opens in new tab) Fri 19 Sep 2025, 8:32am
   • National’s bad day: After news of a shrinking economy there are calls for Willis to be sacked - and her boss too (opens in new tab) Fri 19 Sep 2025, 11:14am
2. RNZFri 19 Sep 2025, 9:03am

   Nicola Willis rejects accusations she is doing nothing for a 'tanking' economy (opens in new tab)

   • Chris Hipkins stops short of calling for Nicola Willis' resignation (opens in new tab) Fri 19 Sep 2025, 2:04pm
3. 1NewsFri 19 Sep 2025, 10:44am

   Luxon 'absolutely' backs Willis as finance minister amid GDP slump (opens in new tab)

4. Otago Daily TimesFri 19 Sep 2025, 11:16am

   Willis 'best Finance Minister NZ's ever going to have': Luxon (opens in new tab)

5. NZ HeraldFri 19 Sep 2025, 3:50pm

   Labour leader Chris Hipkins says ‘whole Government should resign’ over GDP decline (opens in new tab)