Prime Minister Christopher Luxon is under fire for allegedly misrepresenting New Zealand's economic status.
Labour finance spokesperson Barbara Edmonds claims that the Prime Minister has falsely stated the economy has been in recession for three years, a claim she describes as "embarrassing." According to official data, two consecutive quarters of negative growth are required to be classified as a recession. The last available data shows this condition has been met for only the past two quarters. Edmonds believes that Luxon's comments demonstrate a lack of understanding or accurate briefings from advisors like National Party economic spokesperson Nicola Willis. Instead of taking responsibility and presenting a plan to stimulate growth, Labour asserts that the Prime Minister is attempting to distort history.