Airline CEO-turned-politician Luxon to lead New Zealand to the right

Wellington Just three years after entering politics, former business person Christopher Luxon is set to lead New Zealand to the right as prime minister-elect, ending six years of Labour-led, centre-left government.

The former Air New Zealand CEO, Luxon became leader of the centre-right National Party at the end of 2021, boosting its popularity until winning Saturday’s general election.

National won 50 seats and its preferred coalition partner, ACT New Zealand, won 11, securing a majority of one seat in the 121-seat parliament, according to provisional results from the Electoral Commission. Final results are due on November 3.

Luxon, who held senior roles at global consumer goods firm Unilever and delivered consistent profits running Air New Zealand from 2012 to 2019, has said he will use the skills he bought to managing businesses to improve New Zealand.

The 53-year-old has promised to curb historically high inflation and reduce government debt by cutting spending and narrowing the central bank’s mandate to targeting inflation, to help financially stretched middle-income families.

“I want to bring the country together, I want to actually make sure that we are focused on delivering outcomes for New Zealanders,” Luxon told a press conference, dressed in an All Blacks jersey after watching the national rugby team win a dramatic World Cup quarterfinal.

“I’m a person who likes to bring teams together and make sure that I get the best out of that team and use all the skills in that team, so that’s my mode.”

In a country where almost half the people say they have no religion, Luxon has faced scrutiny for saying he was Christian and has had to defend stances such as personally opposing abortion. He has committed to maintaining legal abortion and supported same-sex marriage.

“Faith is deeply personal, but I am not there to act in the interests of one faith, one group, one person or one belief system. I’m there to represent all New Zealanders,” Luxon said earlier in 2023.

A millionaire father of two with several homes across the country, Luxon is learning the Maori language and is a Taylor Swift fan, quoting her in televised debates and interviews.

Though well travelled, he is largely untried on foreign policy. Luxon has strongly supported Ukraine in its invasion by Russia, in line with New Zealand’s traditional allies. He has said there will be little change in New Zealand’s foreign policy.

Reuters