Luxon's MMP referendum pledge left his own caucus and ministers scrambling

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon told Newstalk ZB on 6 August he wanted an MMP referendum next year if re-elected. No coalition partners or caucus colleagues were briefed. Campaign chair Simeon Brown called it "a view given on radio," not a formal announcement. Justice minister Paul Goldsmith, who would draft any referendum legislation, would not confirm he knew beforehand.