Winston Peters doubts Penk's leadership challenge was a solo operation

NZ First leader Winston Peters has publicly doubted that Chris Penk's failed leadership challenge against Christopher Luxon was a one-man operation, undercutting National's insistence that Penk acted alone. Peters's remarks, made outside the House, keep open the question of whether others in the National caucus were involved or aware. Parliament held an urgent debate on Penk's sacking on 18 August 2026.