PremiumAudrey YoungSenior Political Correspondent·NZ Herald·15 Jun, 2026 05:00 PM12 mins to read‌Chris Penk fronting a press conference in the Beehive theatrette at Parliament. Photo / Mark Mitchell

Chris Penk fronting a press conference in the Beehive theatrette at Parliament. Photo / Mark Mitchell

The surprising thing about new Defence Minister Chris Penk is not that he occasionally gets himself into trouble, but that he doesn’t get into more trouble than he does.

Penk is one of the most out-there ministers in Christopher Luxon’s Government, in terms of being active on social media and