New Zealand's Prime Minister Christopher Luxon survived a confidence vote on Wednesday, seeing off a leadership challenge from his defence minister that exposed growing rifts in his National Party less than three months before a tight election.⁣ ⁣ The bid by Chris Penk was the year's second public test for Luxon, boosting concern over disquiet in his centre-right party as it struggles in opinion polls and fuelling fresh doubts about his grip on power ahead of the November 7 election.⁣ ⁣ Luxon moved swiftly after the vote, sacking Penk from his defence, intelligence, space and building portfolios. The prime minister said Penk had instigated the leadership challenge, leaving his position "untenable".⁣ ⁣ Penk later said he would quit politics and not contest his seat at the election, but said he supported Luxon to lead the government. He did not respond to a request for comment.⁣ ⁣ Luxon called National's caucus meeting after media reports that party members were canvassing support for a ...