David Seymour Withdraws UN Letter After Discussion with Christopher Luxon

In a surprising turn of events, New Zealand's Deputy Prime Minister David Seymour has agreed to withdraw a controversial letter he sent to the United Nations, following a discussion with Prime Minister Christopher Luxon. The decision comes after Seymour initially criticized the UN's stance on the government's indigenous rights record.

According to reports, Seymour had written a response to a letter from the UN Special Rapporteur on the rights of Indigenous Peoples, Albert K. Barume. The letter had raised concerns about the government's Regulatory Standards Bill, particularly its approach to indigenous affairs. Seymour, in his role as Minister for Regulation, had taken issue with the UN's comments, calling them "presumptive, condescending, and wholly misplaced." He argued that the bill did not undermine the rights of Māori people, as the UN had suggested.

However, the Prime Minister, Christopher Luxon, reportedly spoke to Seymour about the matter, emphasizing that the Foreign Minister, Winston Peters, should be the one to handle responses to the United Nations. Luxon stated that the government's relationship with the UN is conducted through Peters, not other ministers. He said that Seymour's letter was a "waste of time" and did not disagree with its content, but stressed the importance of maintaining a clear chain of command in foreign affairs.

Seymour, in turn, acknowledged that he had been too hasty in sending the letter and agreed to withdraw it. He stated that the Government would now send a single, unified response, which he expected to make the same points as his original letter. "Winston and I have fixed the problem," Seymour said, adding that he stood by the contents of his original letter and that his colleagues shared the same concerns.

The controversy highlights the complex dynamics within the New Zealand government, particularly around indigenous rights and the role of different ministers in foreign policy. It also underscores the importance of clear communication and coordination in handling international relations.

As the Government prepares to issue a unified response, the situation will likely be closely watched by both domestic and international observers. The outcome could have implications for how the government engages with the UN and other international bodies in the future.