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Luxon defends National's Swarbrick posts as using Greens' own words

In RNZ's interview, the National leader rejects the cyberbullying accusation and says he is confident the party's attacks do not breach digital communications law.

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RNZ Story of November 3, 2026Trari Newsroom

Why this story? One of RNZ's most watched videos since yesterday, with 5,604 views.

Christopher Luxon denies National ‘cyber-bullying’ Chlöe Swarbrick | RNZ

Christopher Luxon says National's campaign material about Chlöe Swarbrick amounts to highlighting the Greens' positions, rejecting an accusation that the party is cyberbullying her.

Asked about the accusation in RNZ's interview clip, New Zealand's prime minister replies: "No, not at all. I mean, the Greens are saying a bunch of things and we just use their own words in our promotion."

Luxon points to comments by Green co-leader Marama Davidson about debt interest rates and by Swarbrick about the wealth tax threshold. He presents National's criticism as a policy argument: "So, you know, we're just calling out what they're saying and what they're doing."

The reporter then asks whether he is confident the attacks fall short of breaching the Harmful Digital Communications Act. Luxon says he is, arguing that National is making the electoral choice clear. The clip contains no legal ruling on the material.

The exchange adds Luxon's defence to RNZ's coverage of the dispute. In a separate interview, Swarbrick criticised the use of images of her from years earlier. Nicola Willis told RNZ the posts were about Swarbrick's demand to become finance minister.