‘Be adult’: PM’s Office hits back at ‘mischaracterisation’ of comments to business owners

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon’s office has rejected claims that the Prime Minister was dismissive during a recent meeting with business owners in Rotorua. The exchange occurred after local business representatives expressed concerns that their confidence in the current economic climate has reached a low point.

In response to reports regarding the interaction, the Prime Minister’s office characterized the criticism as a mischaracterization of the discussion. Officials stated that the Prime Minister encouraged those present to "be adult" about the economic challenges facing the country, framing the comment as a call for a mature approach to addressing national fiscal issues rather than a dismissal of local concerns.