https://newsroom.co.nz/2026/08/13/luxons-botched-mmp-call-is-a-chance-to-fix-parliament-with-stv/ (newsroom.co.nz)

**Comment:** So-called Captain’s Calls are not unknown in New Zealand politics. They usually occur when a party leader unilaterally decides to remove a contentious issue from the party’s agenda, often just before an election. Chris Hipkins’ pledge when Prime Minister in 2023 to never introduce a capital gains or wealth tax on his watch is a recent example, even if he reneged on his promise once back in Opposition. In that sense, Christopher Luxon’s suggestion last week of a new referendum on MMP is not unusual. But where it differs from other Captain’s Calls is that it introduces a controversial new item onto the political agenda, rather than remove one, which is usually the case. His apparently spontaneous, but botched, pledge was also a missed opportunity. * * * ## Subscribe to continue reading Already have an account? Sign In. * Unlimited access Newsroom Pro articles * Bonus subscription for a friend or family member * Exclusive subscriber-only emails * Access to post and read comments on articles * A daily morning email of news and insights curated by Newsroom Pro editorial team Start 14-day free trial now Corporate subscriptions also available