PM fires minister after leadership bid; MPs debate it in Parliament

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon fired Chris Penk from his government roles after Penk tried and failed to take Luxon's job. Paul Goldsmith took on most of Penk's old responsibilities. On 18 August 2026, Parliament held a rushed debate. Labour leader Chris Hipkins said Luxon was hypocritical — keeping ministers he'd called "openly racist" but firing one for disloyalty.