Christopher Luxon. Photo: RNZ / Samuel Rillstone
Incoming Prime Minister Christopher Luxon plans to shorten the Parliamentary close down period over summer.
He told Morning Report when the new government is formed Parliament will run for longer before Christmas and he expects it will need to start earlier in the new year.
Asked if everyone was aware of this he said: "Well no disrespect but that's what happens for the rest of the country, New Zealanders...work up till Christmas, they take Christmas break and then they get back into it in the new year. It's very similar here I think."
There was work to do, he said.
"New Zealanders voted for change, we've got a lot to get through, if we start earlier and have to finish later, so be it."
Good progress was being made in coalition talks with ACT and New Zealand First, but "there's still a long way to go".
A final deal will need to wait until the 570,000 special votes were counted by 3 November.
"We're using the time between now and the special votes to make sure that we continue to move things forward."
The talks had been moved to Auckland as a matter of logistics though they were not exclusively in the city, he said.
"We're following a process, trust the process, I know it's different and it's frustrating for people but we've got to just work through this process to make sure we've got a good, strong stable government."
The process would take as long as it takes, he said.
Luxon would not be going to the Rugby World Cup final as he said his focus was on forming a government.
"But I'm very proud of the All Blacks...and I'm very confident we're going to win."
New Zealand's position on Israel-Gaza
Luxon was asked what he was being told about the situation in Gaza.
"I think it's important the government is the government until the new government's formed, they're taking the lead of New Zealand's response to the situation," he said.
"They're doing a good job of keeping us closely involved and informed and also consulted during that transition period but the bottom line is that we condemn Hamas' terrorist attacks on Israel and we support Israel's rights to defend itself. We do want to see both sides acting in full compliance with international law and their obligations."
Asked if it was important New Zealand used its voice on the international stage, Luxon said he understood there would be an opportunity to do that at the UN and there would be a statement made at that time.
"But right now the priority is the protection of civilians and humanitarian assistance and making sure those corridors are opened up to be able to get relief to people but as I said, our position's pretty clear and united..."
The New Zealand government is contributing $5 million to address urgent humanitarian needs in Israel, Gaza and the West Bank.
The decision for aid had been made after consultation with Luxon, outgoing Prime Minister Chris Hipkins' statement on the aid funding read.
