Prime Minister Christopher Luxon says construction of the Belfast to Pegasus Motorway and Woodend Bypass will begin next year if National is returned to government, while ruling out Winston Peters serving as Prime Minister for part of another term.

Speaking to Chris Lynch Media in Christchurch, Luxon said National’s $800 million commitment would allow the North Canterbury project to proceed to construction.

“In this case we’re ready to go. Getting the funding allocated hard to the project is what then moves it forward.”

He said the project was particularly important because of rapid growth north of Christchurch. “It’s a massive growth area, really important for Canterbury.”

Luxon was also challenged over National’s promise of no new taxes, with the pre-election fiscal update showing stronger government revenue.

He said improved economic performance had resulted in businesses paying more tax and remained focused on returning the books to surplus in 2028.

“The interest on that alone is about $10 billion a year. That’s not even without paying down any of the debt, which is why it’s so important to get the books in order.”

Luxon said the cost of servicing government debt limited what could be spent elsewhere. “Good financial management really matters.”

The Prime Minister was also questioned about the lengthy consent process for a proposed Woolworths supermarket in Halswell, which took four years and cost more than $3 million. Asked whether that was acceptable, Luxon said: “No, it’s not.”

He said supermarket developments had been included in fast-track measures and changes were being made to make consenting more consistent across the country.

But Luxon said planning delays were only part of the problem. “We still have a structural competitive problem in the supermarket industry.”

National is proposing changes that could result in New World, Pak’nSave and Woolworths operating as three large competing supermarket groups.

Foodstuffs has opposed the proposal, but Luxon rejected the suggestion that intervention conflicted with National’s pro-business position.

“We believe very strongly in competition. That’s not a reason to protect uncompetitive markets.” He said the proposal would be referred to the Commerce Commission for six months before a final decision.

Asked what Christchurch would receive from a second Luxon government, the Prime Minister pointed to transport, education and additional hospital capacity.

He said completing Tower 3 at Christchurch Hospital would provide another 96 beds. “That will help the flow of the whole hospital when you’ve got 96 extra beds and wards available.”

Luxon described Canterbury as the country’s second largest regional economy and said continued infrastructure investment was needed to support its growth.

“Canterbury is our second biggest regional economy. We’ve got almost 700,000 Kiwis living here now. One in eight Kiwis live here in this region.”

He was also questioned about reports of patients being treated in corridors at Christchurch Hospital’s emergency department while Health Minister Simeon Brown has described it as one of the better performing emergency departments in the country. “I’m not saying it’s perfect by any stretch, and there’s a lot more work for us to do.”

Luxon said waiting lists, elective surgery, specialist appointments, childhood immunisation rates and cancer treatment times were areas where the Government believed progress was being made.

On coalition arrangements after the election, Luxon gave a direct answer when asked whether he would allow Winston Peters to serve as Prime Minister for half of the next term.

“No, that’s not going to happen.”

Asked whether some National ministers could lose their places around the Cabinet table depending on the election result, Luxon said voters would determine the make-up of the next Parliament.

“My desire is to have 100 percent of those 20 seats occupied by National ministers.”

He described the November 7 election as likely to be close.

“I think it will be a very tight election.”

Asked about his leadership and whether a chief executive with his approval ratings would survive, Luxon said: “I’m certainly not perfect. I’m not a career politician. I won’t get every media sound bite perfect, but actually I don’t think that’s what I’m there for. I’m there to actually deliver.”

He said criticism from commentators did not distract him from the job.

“I don’t take offence from people I don’t take advice from, and I know why I’m here, which is to get the job done.”

Asked what being Prime Minister had cost him personally after three years in the role, Luxon described the job as a privilege and a gift.

He said the intensity and constant public scrutiny were expected parts of the position, while his family life with wife Amanda had remained stable.

“We’ve managed to make it all work.”

Asked who he relied on outside his wife, Luxon pointed to long-standing friends and family members who knew him beyond politics.

“When you get to 90 years old and you look back, yes, you would have been Prime Minister and yes, you would have done some other interesting things with your life, but that’s what you do. It’s not who you are.”

Luxon said he had not seriously considered life after politics.

“No. We’re not going to lose. We’re going to win.”

He also rejected the suggestion that young Christchurch workers needed to move to Australia to build successful careers.

Asked what he would tell a 25-year-old considering crossing the Tasman, Luxon said: “I disagree.”

He pointed to Christchurch’s education sector, technology companies, start-up culture, housing and employment opportunities.

“I think it’s pretty exciting actually what’s been happening here in Christchurch, in particular where you’ve seen that link between the universities and the tech and the start-up culture and the high-paying jobs.”

Luxon said Christchurch and Canterbury were increasingly providing a model for economic growth elsewhere in New Zealand.

“Christchurch has got an awesome future. Canterbury has got an amazing future. It’s a real engine, it’s a real driver of our economy.”