Luxon sacks Penk after leadership challenge; Parliament debates the fallout

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon sacked Chris Penk from all ministerial roles after Penk's failed leadership challenge. Paul Goldsmith took over most of the vacated portfolios. Parliament held an urgent debate on 18 August 2026, where Labour leader Chris Hipkins accused Luxon of double standards — keeping ministers he called "openly racist" while sacking one for disloyalty.