Luxon responds to NZ First proposal to abolish Waitangi Tribunal

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has stated that the role of the Waitangi Tribunal may need to change once Treaty settlements are concluded. He described the tribunal's future purpose as a "very legitimate question" because its original reason for creation may no longer exist after settlements.

National has not confirmed if it would completely dismantle the tribunal before the election. Luxon noted that a review of the tribunal, which was part of the coalition agreement with NZ First, has been completed but will not be released until after the election.

This follows an announcement from coalition partner NZ First that it would abolish the tribunal if re-elected. NZ First proposes replacing it with a Treaty of Waitangi Completion Commission to finalise all claims made before 2008 before being disbanded.

During National's campaign launch in Auckland, Luxon also unveiled a 10-point pledge card featuring a "no new taxes" message. He argued that a Labour-led government would implement nine new taxes.

Where reports differ

• One report describes Luxon's comments on the NZ First policy as a 'very legitimate question', while another reports him labelling a potential partner's policy as 'madness' in a different context.

Compiled from reports by NZ Herald and RNZ.