Nick Mills: Luxon shouldn't go on Breakfast if he doesn't want to

EDITORIAL:  Here’s the thing — I just don’t buy the outrage, and I actually think this needs to be called a bit more straight.  Christopher Luxon pulling out of his regular Monday slot on Breakfast isn’t some constitutional crisis.   It’s not democracy under threat. It’s a political decision — and honestly, just say it for what it is.  Don’t dress it up, don’t spin it.   If Luxon doesn’t want to sit there every week and get carved up by Tova O'Brien, then just say that.   If he and his media team — and yes, people like Rachel Smalley advising behind the scenes — have decided that format isn’t helping him, then fine. That’s politics. That’s strategy. Own it.  Don’t hide behind “changing media consumption habits” or scheduling tweaks.   Just front-foot it: this isn’t working for us, we’re moving on. I’ve got no issue with that — in fact, I respect it more when it’s said plainly.  Now, the facts. Luxon hasn’t disappeared.   He’s still doing interviews — including with Radio New Zealand and Newstalk ZB — and his office says access will now be handled case-by-case.   So, this isn’t shutting down scrutiny, it’s changing where and how it happens.  And this all comes after a tough stretch — poor polling, speculation about his leadership, and that caucus confidence vote he called himself and won. That’s not someone avoiding pressure internally.  The criticism, especially from parts of the media, is that he’s ducking hard questions.   But here’s where I land: no politician is contractually obliged to turn up to the same interviewer every single week if they think it’s a stitch-up rather than a fair contest.  We’ve seen this before. Jacinda Ardern stopped going on Mike Hosking’s show. David Seymour won’t go on RNZ. Politicians will pick their platforms. Always have and guess what, always will.   And in a media landscape that’s now radio, TV, podcasts, digital — locking yourself into one weekly slot isn’t necessarily smart politics anyway.  Now, yes — the media’s role in holding power to account is critical. No arguments there. But accountability doesn’t equal entitlement to a guaranteed booking.  If Luxon stopped doing all interviews, that’s a problem. But he hasn’t.  This is a recalibration. A tactical move.  I just don’t want him to pretend it’s anything else.  I want him to be straight.   He doesn’t want to go on the show, he doesn’t want to get carved up, he doesn't feel it good for him.  Why should he have to sit there knowing someone is trying to get a gotcha moment?  Rather than giving us, the people of New Zealand, a well-balanced interview on the way the country is.   That’s what I want to see.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.