PM Luxon hides from public and press on Dunedin visit

Perhaps side-stepping a Halloween horror-show, Prime minister Christopher Luxon avoided questions, and provided no answers about the fate of the new Dunedin Hospital during a low-key, high-security visit to the city today.

The Prime minister was seen leaving a city-centre business earlier this afternoon, before he was swiftly whisked away by close-protection officers into a waiting vehicle.

The Prime Minister also attended the annual Class Act event for high-achieving high school students at the Dunedin Public Art Gallery.

However, the Prime Minister’s office told Crux he would not be attending any media-facing events.

A small protest outside the Dunedin Public Art Gallery was avoided by using a back entrance.

Protest organiser Steve Walker was not impressed.

“His decision to avoid friendly protesters speaks volumes about his inability to front the hospital issue and the concerns a vast majority of the 350,000 people living in the south have.

“I’d expected more from a Prime Minister who seems so confident about so many of the policy directions this coalition government has taken.”

The Prime Minister did not meet with Dunedin City Councillors who are fronting the Save Our Southern Hospital campaign, which is opposing Government wishes to change the scope of plans for a new Southern regional tertiary hospital in the city.

Main image: A heavy security presence shields Prime Minister Christopher Luxon as he leaves a Dunedin business premises today.