Luxon vetoes Nash from ministerial role before NZ First confirms resignation

Stuart Nash resigned as a NZ First candidate on 22 July 2026 after calling National MP Katie Nimon lazy for taking maternity leave. Prime Minister Christopher Luxon publicly ruled Nash out of any ministerial post before NZ First leader Winston Peters confirmed the resignation — "Whether reports… are true or not, I am making clear he will not serve as a minister in my government." Peters accepted the resignation within hours.