WELLINGTON, April 21, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon survived a leadership vote on Tuesday after a run of poor polls stoked speculation about his future.

The centre-right National Party leader called the vote as his government languishes in opinion polls in the months before a November general election.

Luxon said after a nearly three-hour meeting with his party caucus that he still had the support of his caucus.

"I moved a formal motion of confidence in my leadership," Luxon said.

"That motion was passed confirming what I have been saying -- I have the support of my caucus as their leader."

Luxon did not say by what margin he won the vote.

Only party members who attended the caucus meeting were allowed to vote.

Several members were unable to attend because of bad weather, which has cancelled many flights into the capital Wellington.

Questions about Luxon's leadership have been mounting in recent months as his party dipped below 30 percent in opinion polling.

His own personal approval rating has also plummeted.

Media reports last week suggested that several members of Luxon's caucus were unhappy with his leadership, with some lawmakers unlikely to return to parliament on current polling.

Luxon said speculation about his future was a "media soap opera".

"If the media want to keep focusing on speculation and rumour, I am not going to engage," Luxon said.