PremiumOpinionOpinion byThomas CoughlanPolitical Editor·NZ Herald·26 Jun, 2026 05:00 PM8 mins to readThomas Coughlan, Political Editor at the New Zealand Herald, loves applying a political lens to people's stories and explaining the way things like transport and finance touch our lives. Prime Minister Christopher Luxon. Photo / Alex Burton THE FACTSMost public polls have National trailing Labour.Conservation Minister Tama Potaka announced a back-down on reforms to the Conservation Act this week.Labour will hold its party congress this weekend.Is it just because there’s a new Toy Story in theatres, or does Christopher Luxon remind you a little of Buzz Lightyear?
He’s indefatigable, positive to a fault, with a personality built on a bedrock of unshakable self-belief. And he’s flying high at the moment, performing better in
