Christopher Luxon has been dubbed out of touch following his comments on axing a public holiday.

The National party leader made calls to scrap Labour Day to make way for Matariki yesterday.

But he has since back-pedalled, saying he was being facetious, and doesn't care what day gets cancelled to make way for it.

Council of Trade Unions Policy Director Craig Renney told Roman Travers no public holiday should be cancelled - especially Labour Day.

He says Labour Day commemorates the struggle for an eight-hour working day, won in New Zealand back in 1840.

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