New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has survived a leadership vote among his party’s lawmakers less than three months before an electionNew Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon speaks to reporters at Parliament in Wellington, New Zealand, on Wednesday, Aug. 12 2026, after surviving a leadership vote among his own party’s lawmakers. (AP Photo/Charlotte Graham-McLay) CORRECTION: Corrects date to Aug. 12, instead of Aug. 10WELLINGTON, New Zealand -- New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon said Wednesday that he survived a leadership vote prompted by a challenge from his defense minister less than three months before an election. “There was a confidence vote in my leadership this morning at our caucus meeting,” he said. The vote was the second Luxon had called about his own leadership since April and leaves lingering questions coming so close to the election scheduled for Nov. 7. Several hours after the vote, Luxon named Penk as his challenger and said his now former minister’s position was “untenable.”