Christopher Luxon has called the allegations surrounding Te Pāti Māori “pretty serious” and says they need to be investigated promptly.

Speaking to media from Niue where the Prime Minister’s making his first official Pacific visit, Luxon said the allegations were an issue for the party and the authorities.

Te Pāti Māori has “unequivocally refuted” claims it misused data from Census records to help its election campaign, or deceptively obtained personal information from the Covid-19 Immunisation Programme for campaigning purposes.

Luxon said the allegations were “serious and they deserve to be investigated.”

Earlier today it was revealed New Zealand will be contributing more than $20 million towards a “large-scale” energy project in Niue to help the nation achieve its renewable power generation target and reduce residents’ reliance on costly fuel.

It comes as Niue Premier Dalton Tagelagi maintains there is “no pressure” coming from China amid increasing geopolitical tensions in the Pacific, but he accepts Niue can’t be solely supported by New Zealand and needs relationships with other countries.

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon made today’s announcement in a joint press conference with Niue Premier Dalton Tagelagi after a meeting between the pair at Niue’s Parliament building.

Tagelagi joked with his fellow leader ahead of the meeting, warning Luxon: “You’re signing your life away”, as the New Zealand leader signed the guest book.

In an earlier statement, Luxon confirmed $20.5m for a “new, large-scale energy project” which would help Niue generate 80 per cent of its electricity from renewable sources - a target the nation had committed to achieving by next year.

“Premier Tagelagi has talked to me about the importance of a resilient energy system that reduces Niue’s reliance on expensive diesel to reduce the cost of living for Niueans, while also bringing down greenhouse emissions,” Luxon said.

“This project will achieve that and ensure better energy security in the face of more destructive weather events.”

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon talks with Niue Speaker Hima Douglas during a tour of Niue's Parliament, also known as Niue Assembly. Photo / Pool

The funding was four times the size of a similar spend by former Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern on a solar energy project that was reportedly due to finish next year.

A further $2m would be given to the Niue Ocean Wide Trust, which worked in ocean conservation and climate resilience.

Funding for the $22.5m package had come from New Zealand’s International Development Cooperation programme.

It was understood one of the messages Luxon would convey to Tagelagi was New Zealand’s position as Niue’s first port of call when in need of assistance with development - a nod to China’s growing interest and spending in various Pacific countries.

Chinese workers were currently in Niue completing a road sealing project.

Tagelagi said China’s presence or interactions with Niue didn’t change its relationship with New Zealand.

“There’s no pressure here, New Zealand is Niue’s traditional partner.”

“China like any other partners, is a friend of Niue, Niue is friends to everyone but Niue does know and hold steadfast its relationship with New Zealand and no one can ever come between that.”

He said China and other countries had relationships with Niue which were necessary.

“We can’t keep relying on our great partner New Zealand to do everything for us.”

Luxon said the project had nothing to do with China’s growing presence, saying it was a “logical project” given the issues faced in Niue.

Tagelagi described today’s official talks with Luxon as “friendly”, in which they discussed how the relationship between the two countries would progress ahead of celebrations of 50 years of Niue self-governing in free association with New Zealand.

Upon his arrival in Niue yesterday, Luxon had an official welcome before a King’s Birthday reception last night.

Speaking at the reception, Tagelagi said he looked forward to the “frank” discussions he and Luxon would have today.

Luxon had been set to board a search and rescue boat early this morning for a tour of the island’s west coast so as to assess the quality of its one wharf and its vulnerability to natural disasters.

However, that was scrapped last night due to a large swell.

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Amanda Luxon speak with NZ High Commissioner to Niue Mark Gibb (left). Photo / Adam Pearse

After today’s meeting, Luxon and Tagelagi would hold a press conference before a lunch hosted by the Avatele and Tamakautoga villages.

Luxon yesterday said he would be making announcements that would support development in Niue.

“We have supported Niue with the development of its infrastructure and its economic development and we will continue to do so.”

In early 2018, Ardern announced $5m of funding to support a solar energy project in Niue to assist in its target of 80 per cent renewable power generation by 2025.

That went alongside another $750,000 for improvements to the island’s roads and water network.

At the time, Ardern said the renewable energy target would save Niue close to $1m.

In September last year, Television Niue reported the project was expected to be completed by the end of 2025.

Adam Pearse is a political reporter in the NZ Herald Press Gallery team, based at Parliament. He has worked for NZME since 2018, covering sport and health for the Northern Advocate in Whangārei before moving to the NZ Herald in Auckland, covering Covid-19 and crime.