Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has said he would work with both Winston Peters and David Seymour again, as he likes working with them.
When pressed on whether he might change his mind, however, he was not definitive.
"Yes, I've enjoyed working with him ... we've got a really constructive relationship," Luxon told reporters when asked if he would work with Peters in 2026.
And of Seymour: "same thing, different players, different personalities, but we're working very well and I think New Zealanders recognise we have a coalition government that's very united on the things that matter most to New Zealanders".
He said it was a "long long way away from an election", however.
The prime minister had been speaking after visiting Massey High School in Auckland - which includes hospitality, automotive and building academies.
Earlier this week, Luxon drew the ire of local council leaders after his address at the Local Government New Zealand (LGNZ) conference on Wednesday
In his speech, the prime minister called for councils to rein in spending and focus on basics.
Luxon also faced a challenge at the annual Koroneihana celebrations for Māori King Tūheitia, held at Tūrangawaewae Marae, this week.
"We've watched your government dismantle everything that is meaningful to Māori in this country," Tukoroirangi Morgan told Luxon.
Next week, Luxon and Foreign Minister Winston Peters will travel to Tonga for the 53rd Pacific Islands Forum Leaders' week.