Election 2023 coalition agreement: Christopher Luxon, David Seymour, Winston Peters reveal Government policy, ministers

24/11/2023
Jamie Ensor

Incoming Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has revealed the shape of the next Government, including policy and ministers.

The three-way coalition includes a time-share arrangement for the deputy Prime Minister role, with Winston Peters holding it for the first half of the term and David Seymour for the second.

For information on the New Zealand's next ministers, click here.
For a list of the policies agreed to during negotiations, click here.

More from Newshub

Watch: Christopher Luxon announces ministers; Winston Peters and David Seymour to job-share deputy Prime Minister.

Foreign buyers' tax? Treaty referendum? Nats, ACT, NZ First's coalition agreement revealed

Watch: Christopher Luxon, David Seymour and Winston Peters meet for the signing ceremony.

Historic NZ Govt announced: Unprecedented plans for deputy PM role, new minsters revealed

Newshub's live updates have finished.

4:45pm - Chris Hipkins has spoken out about the incoming Government, saying New Zealand won't get better and will "ultimately" go backwards.

The outgoing Prime Minister made the comments during a press conference at Parliament on Friday afternoon.

"Unfortunately, the agreements that we have seen today reveal that what they have been negotiating over the last six weeks is a very confused and contradictory grab-bag of commitments that will ultimately take New Zealand backwards," he said of the National/ACT/NZ First Coalition.

4:30pm - The incoming Government has promised an inquiry "as a matter of urgency" into the handling of the COVID-19 pandemic that will focus on vaccine procurement and efficacy as well as the use of multiple lockdowns.

Despite there already being a Royal Commission of Inquiry into New Zealand's COVID-19 response in the works, announced by then-Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern in December, the now-outgoing Government decided not to include decisions by clinicians and vaccine efficacy in its probe.

"We want to broaden the terms of the COVID inquiry so that it considers more things," incoming Prime Minister Christopher Luxon told reporters on Friday in announcing his coalition deal with ACT and NZ First. "It's going to include a range of topics including social but also economic impacts as well."

Read more here.

4:05pm - This statement has just come through from Hobson's Pledge. Incoming minister Casey Costello is a former spokesperson for the group.

“I'm sure I speak for all those who have supported Hobson’s Pledge since our formation in 2016 when I say how absolutely delighted we are that Casey Costello has not only been elected to Parliament but has stepped right into a ministerial role inside Cabinet," Hobson's Pledge spokesperson Don Brash says.

"Casey was our co-spokesperson until she resigned her role upon stepping forward as a New Zealand First candidate a few short months ago.

"Casey is a deeply caring person who has for years argued that all New Zealanders should have equal political rights, irrespective of when they or their ancestors came to New Zealand.

"Hobson’s Pledge is also delighted to see that in many areas of government policy, the basic principle of treating all New Zealanders equally before the law has been strongly affirmed. In addition, the right of ratepayers to demand a referendum before local authorities create Maori wards has been re-established."

3:55pm - Here are some comments that other incoming ministers have made:

Nicola Willis:

"Walking into Government: ready to go! As your Finance Minister I’ll be working hard every day to help reduce the cost of living, let you keep more of what you earn, grow this economy of ours and deliver better results for the money Government spends. Together our coalition will deliver for you."

Simeon Brown:

"A huge privilege to have been asked to be a Minister in Christopher Luxon’s Cabinet. A honour to be Minister for Transport, Local Govt, Energy and Auckland. Looking forward to the work ahead to get NZ back on track!"

Louise Upston:

"I’m honoured to be announced as the incoming Minister for Social Development and Employment, Child Poverty Reduction, and the Community and Voluntary Sector. A proud moment, but there’s a lot of work to be done.

"I'm committed to addressing unemployment, child poverty, and supporting our communities and volunteers so we can get New Zealand back on track."

Melissa Lee:

"It is an incredible honour to be asked to serve in the next National-led Government. I look forward to getting stuck in as the next Minister for Economic Development, Media and Communications, Ethnic Communities and Associate Minister for ACC. The work now begins!"

Simon Watts:

"Proud to share that I've been appointed the incoming Minister for Climate Change and Revenue. Two portfolios that will help shape our future. A responsibility I won't take lightly. Ready for the challenge and excited to get New Zealand back on track."

Andrew Hoggard:

"Really excited (and slightly apprehensive) about the roles I will be taking on. As a nation that is so economically dependent on the exporting of safe and nutritious food, the roles of Food Safety and Biosecurity are so vitally important to the wellbeing of this nation. So I'm really appreciative of the faith that has been shown in me to look after these portfolios. At the forefront of many farmers minds will be the concerns around the NPS FW so expecting a fair bit of work in my associate environment role in sorting that out.

"Also we'll done to David, Brooke and Nicole in their negotiations on ensuring that so much of ACTs platform of real change will be apart of this next government."

Casey Costello:

"Wow! What an honour and a privilege it is to have the opportunity to work with such a talented group of people to deliver for New Zealand."

3:40pm - Incoming minister Karen Chhour of the ACT Party has put out this statement on her Facebook page:

"I came to Parliament to make a difference for New Zealand's most vulnerable kids, and today it was announced I will be taking on the roles of Minister for Children and Minister for Prevention of Family and Sexual Violence.

"One of our first steps will be to repeal Section 7AA of the Oranga Tamariki Act, which has been used as justification to remove children in state care from loving families because of their ethnicity. I will also establish a truly independent monitoring and oversight agency for Oranga Tamariki. Our most vulnerable kids deserve a state care system which is accountable, humane and colourblind."

3:35pm - Here is a written statement from Chris Hipkins:

"While we will take time to digest the documents, from the outset the priorities outlined by Christopher Luxon's incoming Government are as confused as they are concerning.

"Christopher Luxon, Winston Peters and David Seymour have presented a grab bag of policies which – as Labour has always known they would – favour landlords over tenants, do nothing to prioritise climate change and fail to highlight any meaningful support for vulnerable New Zealanders at a time when they need it most.

"Most New Zealanders recognised during the election campaign that National's tax promises didn't add up. Now we have a situation that is even worse, with a more than $2 billion hole in the Government's finances before they've even started work. It is totally unclear where they'd find the money to make the tax cut promises work, other than never seen before cuts to public services.

"Christopher Luxon has clearly made big concessions to appease his coalition partners, including a bizarre job sharing arrangement around the deputy leadership and embarking on a divisive approach to Māori-Crown relations. It's now not just a question of whether Winston Peters and David Seymour will run rings around Christopher Luxon, but how many. "

3:15pm - The new Government's agenda is going backwards by three or four decades, Hipkins says. That includes on Maori issues.

He says Labour will unveil its shadow Cabinet next week.

Asked about whether he believes David Seymour will get a turn at being deputy Prime Minister or if the new Government will blow up before that, Hipkins says: Whether Winston Peters ever gives it up, who knows.

The press conference is now over.

3:05pm - Hipkins says it is interesting the new Government is intending to drop co-governance while planning to split the deputy Prime Minister role over the term.

The Labour leader says he is disappointed that the deals are an attack on workers and millionaires are being prioritised over workers. The deals include dropping fair pay agreements and extending 90-day trials.

He says he has approved the new Government to move into the Beehive over the weekend. The Labour leader will then move into Parliament. He will resign as Prime Minister on Monday, ahead of Luxon going to Government House to become Prime Minister.

3pm - Labour leader Chris Hipkins congratulates Luxon, Peters and Seymour on reaching their deals. The caretaker Government will work with them over the coming days to ensure a smooth transition.

Hipkins says the deals show a "very confused and contradictory grab bag" of policies that will take New Zealand backwards. Landlords over tenants, tobacco lobby over the health of New Zealanders, oil and gas over the environment, he says.

Hipkins says it is good Luxon is moving into a round office, given the circles Seymour and Peters are running around him.

The Labour leader says it is unclear how the incoming Government will pay for the tax plan given it is dropping National's proposed foreign buyers tax.

2:50pm - Te Pāti Māori has just released a blistering statement:

"NZ First has gotten their wish to 'take our country back' to the 1800s with a policy program that will white-wash Aotearoa and erase tangata whenua rights.

By disestablishing the Māori Health Authority this Government has condemned Māori to "die seven years earlier than Pākehā.

"By removing Treaty obligations from Oranga Tamariki this Government will displace a generation of tamariki from their whakapapa and continue the cycle of trauma.

"By supporting ACT's attempt to rewrite Te Tiriti o Waitangi the Prime Minister has left the door open for a referendum.

"Christopher Luxon's legacy will be leading the most anti-Māori, anti-Tiriti government Aotearoa has seen in generations.

"Our message to this Government is clear: We will not allow Pākehā to determine our rights as tangata whenua. This new Government must prepare for a Māori revolution if a referendum ever does go ahead.

"Te Pāti Māori will fight on all fronts to protect our people from policies that seek to erase our whakapapa and whitewash our history. Policies that privilege the wealthy and punish the poor.

"We will fight against the short-sightedness of a government that would allow oil and gas exploration during climate crisis. We will do all we can to ensure their reign is also short.

"Te Pāti Māori are calling on all Tangata Whenua and Tangata Tiriti to stand as one to protect what it is that makes us Aotearoa."

2:40pm - The Public Service Association isn't happy with the incoming Government, arguing it threatens services that Kiwis rely on and risks creating racial division.

"The plans unveiled today represent an attack on public and community services, public sector workers and the progress we have made in honouring te Tiriti o Waitangi and delivering for Māori," said Kerry Davies, National Secretary for the Public Service Association Te Pūkenga Here Tikanga Mahi.

"As the largest union representing public sector workers, we want a constructive relationship with the incoming Government, but our message to new Ministers is that the PSA will defend a strong public service and vigorously protect the interests of our members.

"National and ACT have made much of the need for ‘better public services’ - we agree that’s important, but we believe that is a false promise based on the scale of spending cuts proposed.

"At a time of great challenge for New Zealand, from climate change, an ageing population and the increasing costs and complexity of health services amongst many others, we should be investing in a strong public service, not reducing spending."

2:30pm - Labour leader Chris Hipkins will speak to media shortly in response to the new Government's agenda. We will livestream that above at 3pm.

2pm - The National-ACT agreement includes some significant changes to tenancy law:

Allow landlords to issue a 90 day notice to a tenant to end a periodic tenancy without providing a reason or applying to the Tenancy Tribunal.
Return tenants' notice period to 21 days and landlords’ to 42 if the tenant wished to move or landlord wished to sell a property.
Introduce "pet bonds" to make it easier for tenants to have pets in rental properties

1:50pm - Across the fiscal policy, tax, monetary policy and employment sections of the National-ACT agreement, there are some interesting bits:

Deliver savings in public sector spending by reducing non-essential back office functions, with expenditure reduction targets to be set for each agency, informed by the increase in back office head count at that agency since 2017
Ensure the concepts of ACT’s income tax policy are considered as a pathway to delivering National’s promised tax relief, subject to no earner being worse off than they would be under National’s plan.
Restore mortgage interest deductibility for rental properties with a 60 per cent deduction in 2023/24, 80 per cent in 2024/25, and 100 per cent in 2025/26.
Repeal the Clean Car Discount.
Narrow the Reserve Bank’s remit, to focus on price stability, and take advice on replacing “medium term” with specific time targets.
Amend the Reserve Bank of New Zealand Act 2021 to remove the dual mandate and take advice on removing the Treasury observer and returning to a single decision maker model.
Repeal the Fair Pay Agreement regime by Christmas 2023
Expand 90-day trials to apply to all businesses.

1:40pm - The National-ACT agreement includes policies described as being a "priority for the ACT Party".

This includes a section on Regulation. David Seymour will be the Regulation Minister. The section has a number of parts, such as:

Establish a new government department, required to assess the quality of new and existing legislation and regulation, funded by disestablishing the Productivity Commission and consolidating some regulatory quality work across the public sector where appropriate.
In consultation with the relevant Minister, carry out regulation sector reviews, which could include the primary industries, the finance sector, early childhood education, and healthcare occupational licencing, in each case producing an omnibus bill for regulatory reform of laws affecting the sector.

1:30pm - The National-ACT agreement includes a National Policy Programme which ACT has agreed to, but with some modifications to accommodate ACT's concerns.

The Government will not progress the development and delivery of National's manifesto commitment to a "Taxpayer's Receipt" for taxpayers.
National's manifesto commitment to remove two farming regulations for every new one introduced will be replaced by this agreement's commitment to reduce farming regulation and undertake comprehensive regulatory review across Government.
National's Going for Housing Growth policy will now accommodate the ACT/National agreement to make the Medium Density Residential Standards (MDRS) optional for councils, and to consider sharing a portion of GST collected on new residential builds with councils.
The Parties confirm no ongoing commitment to income tax changes, including threshold adjustments, beyond those to be delivered in 2024.
The Parties recognise that details of the Fiscal Plan may be subject to amendment in response to significant new information or events.
Full cost benefit analysis must be presented before any binding agreement is made with respect to the Waikato medical school.
National's commitment to supercharge electric vehicle infrastructure with a comprehensive, nationwide network of 10,000 public EV chargers by 2030 will specifically take into account ACT's concern that there be robust cost benefit analysis to ensure maximum benefit for government investment.

1:20pm - The new Government will establish a Coalition Committee to meet at least once per House sitting block. This will consist of the leader and deputy leader of National, ACT and NZ First and the Leader of the House and will monitor Government progress on items in the coalition agreements.

"The Parties agree to work in good faith and undertake best endeavours to achieve consensus on Cabinet decisions with due consideration to the positions of each Party in the Coalition Government, while maintaining commitments made in this agreement.

"The Parties agree that any concerns will be raised in confidence as soon as possible and in good faith, and will be responded to expeditiously to allow for the speedy resolution of such matters in private. Concerns will be resolved by applying, so far as they are relevant, the principles and terms of this agreement."

The process for this:

In the first instance, concerns can be raised with the Chiefs of Staff of the Parties with a view to reaching a speedy resolution.
If the concerns have not been expeditiously resolved to the satisfaction of the Party raising the concerns – or, if the concerns require urgent resolution, the Party leader of the Party raising the concerns may refer the matter for direct discussion between the Party leaders.

"The Parties will be guided by the 'no surprises' principle and inform each other, confidentially and promptly of matters of significance"

1:15pm - The National-NZF agreement includes a section on equal citizenship.

It includes defending "the principle that New Zealanders are equal before the law", not advancing "policies that seek to ascribe different rights and responsibilities to New Zealanders on the basis of their race or ancestry" and reversing measures taken in recent years.

Those measures include:

Remove co-governance from the delivery of public services.
As a matter of urgency, issue a Cabinet Office circular to all central government organisations that it is the Government’s expectation that public services should be prioritised on the basis of need, not race.
Restore the right to local referendum on the establishment or ongoing use of Māori wards, including requiring a referendum on any wards established without referendum at the next Local Body elections.
Stop all work on He Puapua o Confirm that the Coalition Government does not recognise the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) as having any binding legal effect on New Zealand.
Amend section 58 of the Marine and Coastal Area Act to make clear Parliament’s original intent, in light of the judgment of the Court of Appeal in Whakatohea Kotahitanga Waka (Edwards) & Ors v Te Kahui and Whakatohea Maori Trust Board & Ors [2023] NZCA 504.
Amend the Waitangi Tribunal legislation to refocus the scope, purpose, and nature of its inquiries back to the original intent of that legislation.
Conduct a comprehensive review of all legislation (except when it is related to, or substantive to, existing full and final Treaty settlements) that includes “The Principles of the Treaty of Waitangi” and replace all such references with specific words relating to the relevance and application of the Treaty, or repeal the references.

1:10pm - There's a number of interesting policies in the 'Strengthening Democracy and Freedom' section in the National-NZF agreement.

It includes an inquiry into the efficacy of the COVID-19 vaccine, support a Bill to Select Committee on a referendum for a four-year term, and make English an official language of New Zealand.

Commit that in the absence of a referendum, our Government will not change the official name of New Zealand.
Support to select committee a bill that would enact a binding referendum on a four-year term of parliament.
Ensure publicly funded sporting bodies support fair competition that is not compromised by rules relating to gender.
Legislate to make English an official language of New Zealand.
Ensure all public service departments have their primary name in English, except for those specifically related to Māori.
Require the public service departments and Crown Entities to communicate primarily in English - except those entities specifically related to Māori.
Protect freedom of speech by ruling out the introduction of hate speech legislation and stop the Law Commission’s work on hate speech legislation.
End all Covid-19 vaccine mandates still in operation.
Ensure, as a matter of urgency in establishment and completion, a full scale, wide ranging, independent inquiry conducted publicly with local and international experts, into how the Covid pandemic was handled in New Zealand, including covering: Use of multiple lockdowns, vaccine procurement and efficacy, the social and economic impacts on both regional and national levels, and whether the decisions made, and steps taken, where justified.
Ensure a ‘National Interest Test’ is undertaken before New Zealand accepts any agreements from the UN and its agencies that limit national decision-making and reconfirm that New Zealand’s domestic law holds primacy over any international agreements.
As part of the above, by 1 December 2023 reserve against proposed amendments to WHO health regulations to allow the incoming government to consider these against a “National Interest Test”

1:05pm - While National wanted to raise the superannuation age over time, the National-NZF agreement says they will keep the age at 65.

Also in the seniors section:

Amend the Building Act and the Resource Consent system to make it easier to build granny flats or other small structures up to 60sqm requiring only an engineer’s report
Progress the review of the Retirement Villages Act.
Upgrade the Super Gold Card and Veterans Card to maximise its potential benefit for all Super Gold Card and Veteran Card holders.
Undertake a select committee inquiry into aged care provision to include supporting people with early onset conditions and what asset thresholds are appropriate in 2023/24

1pm - In health, National and New Zealand First have agreed to:

Abolish the Māori Health Authority
Update Pharmac’s decision making model to ensure it appropriately takes “patient’s voice” into account and increase funding for Pharmac every year.
Repeal the Therapeutic Products Act 2023
Fund Gumboot Friday/I Am Hope Charity to $6 million per annum.
Renegotiate the Crown funding agreement with St John with a view to meeting a greater portion of their annualised budget.
Repeal amendments to the Smokefree Environments and Regulated Products Act 1990 and regulations before March 2024, removing requirements for denicotisation, removing the reduction in retail outlets and the generation ban, while also amending vaping product requirements and taxing smoked products only.
Reform the regulation of vaping, smokeless tobacco and oral nicotine products while banning disposable vaping products and increasing penalties for illegal sales to those under 18.

12:55pm - What about in Education? Here are the key points from the National-NZF deal:

Enforce compulsory education and address truancy.
Focus on doing the basics better through emphasising reading, writing, and maths.
Refocus the curriculum on academic achievement and not ideology, including the removal and replacement of the gender, sexuality, and relationship-based education guidelines.
Stop first year Fees Free and replace with a final year Fees Free with no change before 2025.
Maintain the Apprenticeship Boost scheme

12:50pm - Here are some points of interest from the Justice section of the National-NZF agreement:

Commit to training no fewer than 500 new frontline police within the first two years.
Amend the Sentencing Act 2002 and associated legislation to ensure appropriate consequences for criminals, including: Giving priority to the needs of victims and communities over offenders, including gang membership as an aggravating factor during sentencing, ensuring real consequences for lower-level crimes such as shoplifting, removing concurrent sentences for those who commit offences while on parole, on bail, or whilst in custody.
Where appropriate, require prisoners to work, including in the construction of new accommodation in prisons or pest control.
Introduce the Coward Punch legislation which will create a specific offence for anyone who injures or kills someone with a coward punch.

12:40pm - Some of the interesting bits from the Infrastructure, Energy and Resources section of the National-NZF agreement include:

Repeal the Natural and Built Environment Act 2023 and the Spatial Planning Act 2023 (this is what Labour introduced to replace the RMA).
Cancel Auckland Light Rail and Let’s Get Wellington Moving and reduce expenditure on cycleways.
Commission a study into New Zealand’s fuel security requirements.
Investigate the reopening of Marsden Point Refinery. This includes establishing a Fuel Security Plan to safeguard our transport and logistics systems and emergency services from any international or domestic disruption
Ensure that climate change policies are aligned and do not undermine national energy security.

12:25pm - We're going to pull out some interesting pieces we find in each deal and post them in here.

The National agreement with New Zealand First includes:

Establish a Regional Infrastructure Fund with $1.2 billion in capital funding over the Parliamentary term

This is interesting given that ACT has previously criticised the former Government's Provincial Growth Fund (PGF). Asked about that on Friday, Seymour say this fund had a focus on capital funding, which he supported.

12:15pm - The Green Party has released this statement:

The Green Party will keep up the fight for an Aotearoa that works for everyone.

"We defied history in this election with a record 330,883 people voting for the Green Party. We will make sure the voices of all you are heard loud and clear in the halls of Parliament and beyond," says Green Party co leader Marama Davidson.

"We are going to do everything in our power to make this a one term government.

"It won't be easy. National, Act, and New Zealand First have shown their willingness to do and say anything to get into power.

"The plan to allow state schools to transition to partnership schools and make it easier for people to access guns, is completely out of touch with what New Zealand needs.

"While the new government agreement will be worrying to many thousands of people, we are ready, we are strong, and we will be loud.

"It is an immense honour to stand alongside James Shaw leading a caucus with such a strong group of Māori and Pasifika voices, all of whom bring with them a vast range of experiences, knowledge and skills.

"Te Tiriti must be honoured and any steps to redefine our founding document will be divisive.

"With more Māori and Pasifika Green MPs, will stand alongside our communities and push for action to manaaki whenua and manaaki tangata so that whānau can put kai on the table, have access to warm and affordable homes, use mātauranga Māori to tackle the climate crisis and ensure Māori and Pasifika can live with dignity," says Marama Davidson.

Green Party co leader James Shaw added:

"Now more than ever, we need to be taking bold action to build a cleaner, fairer climate friendly future where everyone can afford a warm home and food on the table.

"Our 15 MPs will be a strong voice for bold climate action, protecting nature, and ensuring everyone has a safe, warm and affordable place to call home.

"I am delighted to be heading into the next term of Parliament with the biggest caucus we have ever had," says James Shaw.

12:05pm - ACT leader David Seymour has just sent this email out to ACT supporters:

The coalition agreement ACT has negotiated with National and NZ First and announced today will deliver the real change so many New Zealanders voted for.

The three parties have committed to a policy programme that will make life more affordable, ensure proper consequences for criminals, and restore democracy in areas where it was being eroded by co-governance.

ACT campaigned for a government of real change. We are proud to be contributing ideas to this government that will solve the urgent problems people elected us to address. Some of the ACT policies that have been adopted in the coalition agreement include the following:

Deliver savings by reducing non-essential bureaucracy and headcounts in government departments.
Increase the speed at which mortgage interest deductibility is restored for rental properties with a 60% deduction in 2023/24, 80% in 2024/25, and 100% in 2025/26.
Tackle red tape by establishing a new Minister and Ministry of Regulation and pass legislation ensuring regulation is based on principles of good law-making.
Ensure safer streets by restoring Three Strikes, introducing tougher sentences for criminals who attack victims in the workplace, increasing funding for prison capacity and new youth justice beds, and scrapping Labour’s prisoner reduction target.
Introduce a Treaty Principles Bill based on ACT’s policy and support it to a select committee.
Restore the right to local referendum on the establishment or use of Māori wards, remove co-governance from the delivery of public services and repeal race-based laws, ensure government contracts are not awarded based on race, and issue a directive to all central government organisations that public services should be prioritised on the basis of need, not race.
Reintroduce partnership schools and introduce a policy to allow state schools to become partnership schools.
Reduce the regulatory burden on farmers by ceasing the implementation of Significant Natural Areas, replace the National Policy Statement for Freshwater Management to rebalance Te Mana o te Wai to better reflect the interests of all water users, maintain a split-gas approach to methane and carbon dioxide through to 2050 and review the methane science and targets in 2024, improve Farm Environment Plans so they are more cost-effective and pragmatic, and enable farmers and landowners to offset sequestration against their on-farm emissions.
Fix planning laws by making Medium Density Residential Standards (MDRS) optional for councils.
Replace the RMA with new resource management laws premised on the enjoyment of property rights as a guiding principle and introduce financial incentives for councils to enable more housing.
Encourage more landlords to enter the rental market by allowing 90 day notices to end a periodic tenancy, and return tenants’ notice to 21 days and landlords’ to 42 if the tenant wishes to move or the landlord wishes to sell.
Give at-risk youth more opportunities to find a safe and loving home by reforming Oranga Tamariki, including removing section 7AA and creating a truly independent monitoring and oversight agency.
Reform health and safety law and regulations, expand 90-day trials to apply to all businesses, and simplify the personal grievance process.
Implement sanctions, including electronic money management, for beneficiaries who can work but refuse to take agreed steps to find a job.
Pass the Constitution (Enabling a 4-Year Term) Amendment Bill through first reading.
Immediately begin to repeal and replace Part 6 of the Arms Act 1983 relating to clubs and ranges, rewrite the Arms Act 1983 to provide greater protection of public safety and simplify regulatory requirements to improve compliance, transfer responsibility for the Arms Act 1983 to the Ministry of Justice and the Firearms Safety Authority away from Police, and review whether the Firearms Registry is improving public safety.

The full list of policies can be found in our coalition agreement.

This is a significant programme of work for the next three years that will bring real change for New Zealand. ACT’s Ministers are ready to hit the ground running and get to work for New Zealanders.

12pm - The Taxpayers' Union's executive director Jordan Williams has released this statement:

"If we have learned anything from the last Government it is that words are not enough - it is delivery that matters. Here at the Taxpayers’ Union, there is much to celebrate in these agreements furthering our core mission of lower taxes, less waste, and more accountability. So on Monday, let’s get on with it.”

11:55am - The leaders' press conference has now finished. We will now be going over these new coalition agreements to see what policies have and haven't made it through the talks.

11:40am - We are going to be updating this article with the policy that the parties have agreed to. There's a lot to get through, but it will be added in eventually.

Click here to see the policy.

11:30am - Luxon says that Paul Goldsmith, "having been a historian", will do a good job as Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations Minister.

He says there is nothing being kept secret from the New Zealand public. The full policy programme is being laid out on Friday, he says.

Asked if they trusted eachother, Christopher Luxon says yes, Winston Peters calls it a stupid question, and David Seymour says he trusts all ministers in the Government.

He commits to KPIs for all ministers. That will be managed across all three leaders, he says.

Luxon wants the Reserve Bank to a single mandate, with a focus on price stability.

Election 2023 coalition agreement: Christopher Luxon, David Seymour, Winston Peters reveal Government policy, ministers — Photo credit: Newshub.

11:25am - Speaking about the deputy role, Luxon says they are doing something historic by splitting it over the course of the term.

He says that the Government will deliver tax relief, but there has been an agreement not to progress the foreign buyers tax. There are additional revenue-gathering measures to pay for the relief.

11:15am - Winston Peters is now speaking. He thanks Luxon and Seymour for helping to form a Government to address issues New Zealand's problems. He says negotiations have only been going for three weeks.

"We're back," he said.

David Seymour says Kiwis voted for change as the country is facing serious challenges. Under Labour, costs have rised too fast, he said. A line must be drawn under that to ensure a Government that can deliver better public services and unite New Zealanders.

There has been a growth in trust between the leaders, Seymour says. He looks forward to working with them.

11:10am - Luxon is now listing off some the policy agreements, including ACT's rewrite of the Arms Act and New Zealand First's committment to training no fewer than 500 new police officers. Charter schools will be back, while NZ First's policy of focusing education on the basics has made its way through.

He says Gerry Brownlee will be nominated to be Speaker.

11:05am - Christopher Luxon is now speaking to New Zealanders. He thanks them for waiting for the formation and promises this new Government is commited to delivering for every New Zealanders.

He says how the new Government does that has been at the core of the negotiation process. The aim hasn't just been to form a new Government but a strong and stable one. Kiwis have voted for change and put their trust in the leaders, and they trust Kiwis, Luxon says.

He explains that National has deals with New Zealand First and ACT individually and that each party supports the other's agreement.

Luxon says Kiwis' primary concern is the high cost of living. He promises tax relief. Though the National Party's foreign buyers tax has been scrapped. ACT's acceleration of restoring interest deductibility will happen.

11am - MINISTERS:

11am - STATEMENT:

The new coalition government of National, ACT and New Zealand First will be stable, effective and will deliver for all New Zealanders, National Leader and incoming Prime Minister Christopher Luxon says.

"Despite the challenging economic environment, New Zealanders can look forward to a better future because of the changes the new Government will make," Mr Luxon says.

"I said on election night that we would be a government that would deliver for every New Zealander, regardless of who we are, where we are and whatever our life circumstances. How the coalition parties do that has been at the core of our negotiations.

"New Zealanders have put their trust in us. In return, we trust New Zealanders. We believe in this country. We are ambitious for it. We know that, with the right leadership, the right policies and the right direction, together New Zealanders can make this an even better country."

The three-party coalition government is the first in New Zealand's MMP history, with all parties represented in Cabinet.

New Zealand First Leader Rt Hon Winston Peters will be Deputy Prime Minister for the first half of the three-year Parliamentary term
ACT Leader David Seymour will be Deputy Prime Minister for the second half of the term
Mr Peters will be Minister of Foreign Affairs, and Mr Seymour Minister for Regulation.
The 20-strong Cabinet will have 14 National Ministers, three ACT Ministers and three New Zealand First Ministers
Nicola Willis will be Minister of Finance, Brooke van Velden will be Minister for Workplace Relations and Safety and Hon Shane Jones will be Minister for Regional Development
There will be five ministers from National, two from ACT and one from New Zealand First outside Cabinet
ACT and New Zealand First will each have one Parliamentary Under-Secretary

"The Government will manage a strong economy that will ease the cost of living and deliver tax relief, restore law and order, deliver better public services and strengthen democracy.

"The coalition documents between National and ACT, and National and New Zealand First, provide for both ACT and New Zealand First to support the major elements of National's policy programme including our 100-day plan, our 100-point economic plan, and our tax and fiscal plans, with some adjustments.

"The National and ACT agreement provides that the Government will progress a range of ACT initiatives, and these will be supported by New Zealand First. Equally, the National and New Zealand First coalition agreement outlines a range of New Zealand First priorities, which will be supported by ACT.

"The coalition parties believe people should be rewarded for their effort and hard-working Kiwis should keep more of what they earn. National campaigned on that commitment and, next July, the Government will deliver it.

"The tax package will continue to be funded through a combination of spending reprioritisation and additional revenue measures. However, as part of National's agreement with New Zealand First, the proposed foreign buyer tax will no longer go ahead. Policy changes will help offset the loss of revenue from that change. National's fiscal plan also had buffers which give confidence that tax reduction can still be funded responsibly.

"The coalition parties have adopted ACT's policy to speed up the rate at which interest deductibility for rental properties is restored.

"Delivering tax relief is just one part of the Government's plan to rebuild the economy. The Government will ease the cost of living, reduce wasteful spending, and lift economic growth to increase opportunities and prosperity for all New Zealanders."

"Restoring law and order will be as important to the Government as it is to the public. In addition to National's policies to tackle gangs and youth crime, the parties have agreed with ACT to re-write the Arms Act, and agreed with New Zealand First to train no fewer than 500 new Police.

"Part of treating taxpayers' money with respect is getting better value from public services. We will set targets, like shorter wait times in hospitals, and public services will be delivered on the basis of need.

"To lift educational performance, every class will undertake an hour a day each of reading, writing and maths. The parties have agreed to adopt ACT's policies to reintroduce partnership schools and to allow state schools to become partnership schools.

Other key policies in the agreements include:

A new agency, accountable to the Minister for Regulation, will assess the quality of new and existing regulation. This agency, proposed by ACT, will be funded by disestablishing the Productivity Commission
A Regional Infrastructure Fund, proposed by New Zealand First, that will have $1.2 billion in capital funding

"I thank the public for their patience since Election Day. It's a credit to our country that we now handle the MMP process with such calm and maturity.

"I also thank the caretaker government for their assistance during the transition period.

"It's exciting to be on the cusp of delivering a big policy programme with two coalition partners who, alongside National, are determined to make New Zealanders' lives better.

"On election night, I said that we'd listened to the public and heard a description of a better New Zealand. New Zealanders want change that makes our lives easier. We want change that improves our opportunities. We want change that makes this great country even better. The Government is going to deliver that change and we are ready to get on with it."

10:50am - Incoming New Zealand First MPs have arrived at the Beehive's Banquet Hall for the signing ceremony.

The incoming MPs. Photo credit: Newshub.

10:45am - The Newshub live breaking news special will begin at 10:55am. You will be able to watch that above or on Three. If you are on app, you can click here.

10:30am - We are all set up at the coalition signing ceremony. This is where the three leaders are expected to sign the new coalition deals.

Where the signing will happen. Photo credit: Newshub.

10:15am - ACT leader David Seymour earlier spoke to media.

It was put to him that he has previously said he wanted proportionality in Cabinet, meaning the number of ministers is determined by the size of each party's vote.

Asked if he had a good deal, he said, "Yes, because we know the size of the Cabinet and we know the proportion that ACT has, we know the proportion that New Zealand First has, and we know the proportion that National has. We just don't know what the exact names next to titles are."

Can we read into that that ACT has more ministers than New Zealand First, Seymour said: "You might be able to, but I wouldn't want to confirm that or deny it now."

ACT has 11 seats in Parliament to NZ First's eight.

10am - After 20 days of dealmaking, a three-way coalition agreement is set to be signed today - but there are still major question marks as to who will be named deputy Prime Minister, as well as which National MPs will be given key ministerial portfolios.

Appearing on AM on Friday morning, Labour's Ginny Andersen and National's Erica Stanford seemed to be in good spirits ahead of the agreement's signing, which is expected to take place at around 11am.

Despite gentle prodding by host Melissa Chan-Green, Stanford remained tight-lipped as to who will take the coveted deputy Prime Minister position and ministerial roles - but did confirm one important detail as to her future in Parliament.