PremiumOpinionUpdatedOpinion by Liam HehirNZ Herald·11 Aug, 2026 04:14 AM5 mins to readLiam Hehir is an Palmerston North based lawyer and a National Party member and former activist. Prime Minister Christopher Luxon (left) and Education Minister Erica Stanford, pictured during a post-Cabinet media conference. Photo / Mark MitchellThis opinion piece is republished from Liam Hehir’s Substack with his permission. You can read more of his work here.The phones are reportedly buzzing in National’s caucus again, over Christopher Luxon’s captain’s call on an MMP referendum.

In a rapidly evolving situation, this afternoon the