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Christopher Luxon | |
|---|---|
.png) Campaign portrait, 2023 | |
| 42nd Prime Minister of New Zealand | |
| Assumed office 27 November 2023 | |
| Monarch | Charles III |
| Governor-General | Cindy Kiro |
| Deputy | Winston Peters David Seymour |
| Preceded by | Chris Hipkins |
| 15thLeader of the National Party | |
| Assumed office 30 November 2021 | |
| Deputy | Nicola Willis |
| Preceded by | Judith Collins |
| 40thLeader of the Opposition | |
| In office 30 November 2021 – 27 November 2023 | |
| Prime Minister | Jacinda Ardern Chris Hipkins |
| Deputy | Nicola Willis |
| Preceded by | Judith Collins |
| Succeeded by | Chris Hipkins |
| Member of theNew Zealand Parliament forBotany | |
| Assumed office 17 October 2020 | |
| Preceded by | Jami-Lee Ross |
| Majority | 16,337 (43.91%) |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Christopher Mark Luxon (1970-07-19)19 July 1970 (age 55) Christchurch, New Zealand |
| Party | National |
| Spouse | |
| Children | 2 |
| Alma mater | University of Canterbury (BCom;MCom) |
| Occupation |
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| Signature |  |
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|---|---|---|
General elections | ||
Christopher Mark Luxon (born 19 July 1970) is a New Zealand politician and businessman who has served as the 42ndprime minister of New Zealand since 2023. A member of theNational Party, he has been member of Parliament (MP) forBotany since 2020 and previously served asleader of the Opposition from 2021 to 2023. Prior to entering politics, he was the chief executive officer (CEO) ofAir New Zealand from 2013 to 2019.
Luxon grew up inHowick inEast Auckland before studying commerce at theUniversity of Canterbury. He joinedUnilever in 1993 and held senior roles at Unilever Canada, becoming president and CEO of the subsidiary in 2008. In 2011, he left Unilever Canada and joined Air New Zealand as group general manager and became CEO in 2013. After stepping down as CEO of Air New Zealand in 2019, Luxon won the pre-selection for the safe National Party seat of Botany inEast Auckland. He won theNational Party leadership unopposed on30 November 2021, eight months after giving his maiden speech, after theousting of his predecessor. Luxon led his party to a plurality of seats at the2023 general election. Luxon signed a coalition deal withACT New Zealand andNew Zealand First to form a majority, and was sworn in as prime minister on 27 November 2023.
Under Luxon's premiership, theSixth National Government of New Zealand has shrunk New Zealand'scivil service and attempted to boost the economy through international tourism. The government introduced cuts to healthcare expenditure,reintroduced thethree-strikes sentencing law and a pilot military-style boot camp for youth offenders, and enacted NZ$14.7 billion in tax cuts. The government replaced theThree Waters reform programme with theLocal Water Done Well policy, and minimisedco-governance initiatives while discouraging the use of theMāori language alongside theEnglish language in the public service. His government has contributed to the construction of theCity Rail Link metro system inCentral Auckland, and agreed to support the controversialTreaty Principles Bill to its first reading. In foreign policy, his government has increased military spending andFive Eyes cooperation in a general pro-United States shift. Luxon's coalition dynamics with his deputy prime ministersWinston Peters andDavid Seymour have proved controversial, given they have openly challenged his authority.[1][2]
Christopher Mark Luxon[3] was born in Christchurch on 19 July 1970,[4] to aRoman Catholic family of Irish, Scottish and English descent.[5] His father, Graham Luxon, worked forJohnson & Johnson as a sales executive. His mother, Kathleen Luxon (née Turnbull), was a receptionist but subsequently enrolled in a Diploma of Social Work the same year that Chris started at university. She eventually worked as a psychotherapist and counsellor.[6][5]
The family lived in Christchurch until Christopher was seven, when they moved toHowick inAuckland. After a year atSaint Kentigern College and another year atHowick College, the family returned to Christchurch and Luxon spent three years atChristchurch Boys' High School.[7][8] While there, he won the prize for senior debating.[9] He studied at theUniversity of Canterbury from 1989 to 1992, gaining a Master of Commerce (Business Administration) degree.[10]
He always wanted to be a businessman and said: "If you met me at 12 years old I'd be having window washing rounds, lawn mowing rounds and deck painting. I just loved it."[11] During his high school and university years, Luxon workedpart-time atMcDonald's and as aporter at theParkroyal Hotel.[12]
Luxon worked forUnilever from 1993 to 2011, starting inWellington as a management trainee for two years, leaving forSydney in 1995. He worked his way up in the company, working in Sydney until 2000, in London from 2000 to 2003, and then Chicago from 2003 to 2008, becoming "Global Deodorants and Grooming Category" Director.[13] In 2008 when Unilever restructured, he became president of the company's Canadian operations, based inToronto.[12][14] Altogether, he worked overseas for 16 years before returning to New Zealand.[15]
Luxon joinedAir New Zealand as group general manager in May 2011 and was named the chief executive officer on 19 June 2012, taking up the role at the end of that year.[4][16] During his eight-year leadership, Air New Zealand profits grew to record levels. Important contributors to this were a booming tourism market; the company's decision to stop operating under-performing regional routes; and the cutting of hundreds of jobs.[17] The company was named Australia's most trusted brand several times.[10]
In 2014, Luxon joined the board ofVirgin Australia representingAir New Zealand, which was then a major shareholder.[18][19] In 2016, Air NZ decided it was no longer in its best interest to maintain a close connection with another airline so it sold its 25.9% stake in Virgin Australia. Luxon consequently left the Virgin board.[20][21][22]
Luxon resigned from Air NZ in 2019, and hinted at a possible career with theNational Party.[23] He was encouraged in this by his close friend, former Prime Minister John Key, who said Luxon would be a "world class candidate" for the National Party.[24]
As at March 2024, his net worth was estimated to be between NZ$21 million and NZ$30 million, which makes him the second-wealthiest leader of the National Party, after former Prime Minister John Key. He then owned seven properties, including a home in Remuera valued at NZ$7.68 million, and other assets collectively valued at over NZ$21 million.[25] In late 2024, Luxon stated, "Let's be clear, I'm wealthy," in response to questions about his property sales and financial position.[26]
After becoming prime minister, Luxon stayed in his own Wellington apartment and claimed a NZ$52,000 accommodation allowance, to which he said he was entitled. After public scrutiny began, he quickly changed his position, saying: "It's clear that the issue of my accommodation allowance is becoming a distraction" and "As such, I have decided today that I will no longer claim the allowance and will repay anything I have received since I became Prime Minister."[27]
Luxon sold three of his properties in 2024 withStuff estimating he could have made up to $769,500 in profit.[28][29]
In November 2019, Luxon secured the National Party candidacy for theBotany electorate - which has always been won by National and was regarded as asafe seat for them[30] - afterJami-Lee Ross resigned from the Party.[31]
| Years | Term | Electorate | List | Party | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020–2023 | 53rd | Botany | 61 | National | |
| 2023–present | 54th | Botany | 1 | National | |
Amid a sweep of National seats lost to Labour in the2020 general election, Luxon won Botany with 52% of the vote.[32][33][34] He was appointed as the spokesperson for local government, research, science, manufacturing and land information, as well as associate spokesperson for transport in theShadow Cabinet of Judith Collins.[35] After Collins was removed as party leader on 25 November, Luxon was cited as a potential replacement.[36] On 30 November, after Bridges's withdrew from theNational Party leadership election, Luxon was announced as the party's leader.[37]
As Leader of the Opposition, Luxon used public funding to pay forMāori language (te reo) lessons. He defended using taxpayer money to pay for his Māori language lessons, stating that "developing better skills in te reo was highly relevant to his role as Opposition leader and a potential Prime Minister.[38][39] Once he became Prime Minister, theNational-led coalition government considered discontinuing incentive payments for public servants to learn the Māori language.[38]
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| Premiership of Christopher Luxon 27 November 2023 – present | |
| Monarch | Charles III |
|---|---|
| Cabinet | Sixth National Government |
| Party | National |
| Election | 2023 |
| Appointed by | Cindy Kiro |
| Seat | The Beehive |
 Coat of Arms of New Zealand | |
In the2023 general election,[40][41] Luxon retained hisBotany electorate seat with 67% of the vote.[42] The National Party won 38.1% of the party vote and 48 seats – the most of any party but not enough to govern outright.[43]
National required support from at least two other parties to form a government. They negotiated withACT andNew Zealand First for six weeks to produce New Zealand's first formal three-party coalition government.[44] The negotiations took until 24 November[45] and involved two separate coalition agreements – one between National and ACT, and one between National and New Zealand First – with each junior party formally committing to support the other's key priorities.[46] Luxon was sworn in as prime minister by Governor-GeneralDame Cindy Kiro on 27 November.[47][48]
On 18 February 2024 Luxon delivered his first State of the Nation address, in which he blamed the previousLabour Government for what he called the "precarious state of the economy". Luxon claimed that economic growth is the central theme of his government's agenda, that it is the solution to New Zealand's problems and key to improving living standards for all New Zealanders. He said his Government would restore the economy by cutting taxes (by $14.7 billion),[49][50] reducing public spending and "red tape".[51]
However, under his government, the economy entered a protracted recession, with per capita GDP falling 4.6% since September 2022 due to tight monetary policy combating inflation that peaked at 7.3%. Unemployment rose from 3.7% in June 2023 to 5.2% by late 2025 and would have been higher if thousands of workers had not moved to Australia.[52]
As part of reducing Government spending, Luxon's government began implementing significant cutbacks to New Zealand's public service in late 2023. Radio New Zealand reported in May 2025 that the coalition had cut 9,500 public sector jobs.[53] More than 240 government programmes have been scaled down or scrapped, particularly those initiated under the previous Labour government.[54] Luxon has consistently articulated the rationale for these cuts, amounting to about $6 billion,[55] and publicly defended the scale of job losses.[56] AtKāinga Ora, hundreds of staff were laid off, and plans to build 3,500 new homes were scrapped.[57]
New Zealand's health system faced severe strains before the coalition government came to power, primarily from workforce shortages, financial mismanagement, and long wait times for many services. Core problems included a significant shortage in the number of GPs leading to a massive increase in visits to hospital emergency departments plus financial mismanagement. Health NZ posted a $722 million deficit in 2023, driven by vague savings plans and uncontrolled spending.[58]
In response, the government replaced the board of Health NZ with a commissioner to improve performance and accountability.[59] This was followed by multiple high-profile resignations, including the Director-General of Health, the Chief Executive of Health NZ, and the Director of Public Health.[60] In January 2025, Luxon announced thatSimeon Brown would replaceShane Reti asMinister of Health.[61]
Despite these frequent changes in personnel, little progress has been made. Emergency departments have experienced increased wait times and staffing shortages.[62] GP shortages remain acute, with over 250,000 unregistered patients and productivity losses exceeding $1 billion annually, unchanged from pre-coalition levels. Efforts to recognize overseas qualifications and plans for a third medical school are targeted at additional recruitment, but so far have had little impact. Overcrowding in emergency department persists, due to the shortage of GPs and primary care. Concerns have even been raised about the sustainability of general practice.[63][64]
Luxon seems unconcerned about long waiting lists. He toldKerre Woodham on NewstalkZB that if he had an infection, he would rather see a nurse practitioner than a GP.[65]
Under the coalition agreement with ACT and NZ First, Luxon agreed to repeal New Zealand's world leadingsmoke-free legislation that would have made it illegal for anyone born in 2008 or later to legally purchase tobacco. The repeal will return around $1 billion in tax revenue per annum,[66][67] enabling the Government to implement other tax cuts – although Luxon claimed his government remained "deeply committed" to lowering smoking rates.[68] Researchers from the University of Otago warned that thousands of New Zealanders will die needlessly, and that the repeal "flies in the face of robust research evidence."[69] Chris Hipkins suggested the government is "firmly in the pocket of the tobacco industry."[70]
Luxon’s government promised on a “tough on crime” agenda based on tougher sentencing, expanded police powers and targeted measures on gangs and youth offending. His government:
As the prison population approached 11,000 in November 2025, Luxon publicly endorsed policies which lead to higher prisoner numbers as “a good thing” as it keeps offenders off the streets. He is also unconcerned about the economic impact saying: "The cost will be what the cost will be."[81]
He also defended the boot camp programme, saying: "I don't care what you say about whether it does or doesn't work. We can have that intellectual conversation all day long, but we are, dammit, going to try something different because we cannot carry on getting the results that we've been getting."[82]
As part of the coalition agreement with David Seymour, Luxon agreed to support theTreaty Principles Bill at its first reading and send it to a select committee. Luxon made it clear that National would not support the bill beyond that stage or allow it to become law. He has emphasised that the bill does a disservice to the Treaty of Waitangi by oversimplifying 184 years of complex debate and discussion around the Treaty.[83] The bill sparked heated debate in Parliament with MPs describing it as "divisive" and a "wrecking ball" to Crown-Māori relations.[84]
In early December 2023, Luxon along with Cyclone Recovery MinisterMark Mitchell and Transport and Local Government MinisterSimeon Brown, visitedHawke's Bay to meet with local leaders and local National MPsKatie Nimon andCatherine Wedd to discuss government support for post-flood andCyclone Gabrielle relief efforts in the region.[85][86] During the visit, Luxon confirmed that the Government would pause work on restoring theNapier-Wairoa railway line to focus on repairingState Highway 2.[86]
On 11 February 2024, Luxon and Emergency Management and Recovery MinisterMark Mitchell announced that the Government would contribute NZ$63 million to aid the removal of sediment and debris caused byCyclone Gabrielle in theHawke's Bay andGisborne District.[87]
In late April 2024, Luxon strippedMelissa Lee of herMedia and Communications ministerial portfolio andPenny Simmonds of her Disability Issues portfolio during acabinet reshuffle. Lee had faced criticism for her response toWarner Bros. Discovery's closure ofNewshub while Simmonds had faced criticism over her handling of changes to disability funding and services. Lee was also relieved of her Cabinet position. Luxon appointedPaul Goldsmith to the Media and Communications portfolio,Louise Upston to the Disability Issues portfolio and promoted Climate Change and Revenue MinisterSimon Watts to the Cabinet.[88]
On 5 May 2024 Luxon,Local Government MinisterSimeon Brown andMayor of AucklandWayne Brown jointly announced that Auckland would avoid a 25.8 percent rates increase as part of the Government'sLocal Water Done Well plan.[89]
DuringLocal Government New Zealand's annual conference held on 21 August 2024, Luxon called on local and regional councils to focus on rubbish collection, water infrastructure and other local assets. He also criticised so-called "nice to have projects" such as theTākina convention centre. Luxon also confirmed that Cabinet had agreed to revise the Local Government Act and scrap the four wellbeing provisions in that legislation.[90]
On 23 June 2025, Luxon said he was open to abolishingregional councils as part of the Government's reform of theResource Management Act 1991.[91]
In early August 2024, Luxon andEducation MinisterErica Stanford announced plans to introduce a new mathematics curriculum from early 2025 with a focus on raising student standards and achievement.[92] In response, theNew Zealand Educational Institute expressed concerns that rapid changes to the maths and literacy curriculum and the short teaching training timeframe would strain the teaching workforce without delivering on its goals.[93]
In early August 2025, Luxon and Stanford confirmed that the Government would scrap theNational Certificate of Educational Achievement (NCEA) secondary school qualification over the next five years.[94]
On 10 November 2024, Luxon delivered the New Zealand Government's national apology to survivors ofabuse in state and faith-based care at Parliament, stating "it was horrific. It was heartbreaking. It was wrong. And it should never have happened.."[95] Luxon also announced that the Government was introducing legislation to combat abuse in care including banning strip searches on children and strengthening security checks for people working with children.[96]
In August 2022, Luxon warned young unemployed people their "free ride" under Labour would come to an end if he won the 2023 election, saying: "To young people who don't want to work you might have a free ride under Labour, but under National, it ends". He further stated National would make sweeping cuts to theMinistry of Social Development in favour of privatisedemployment agencies and "not keep funding failure".[97]
In August 2024, Luxon andLouise Upston, announced a "traffic light" regime for welfare was introduced, setting out escalating consequences for beneficiaries who fail to meet job-seeking or other obligations. From early 2025, jobseeker beneficiaries are required to reapply for their benefit every six months, instead of annually, and a new community work sanction was introduced requiring beneficiaries to "build skills and confidence."[98] When interviewed shortly afterwards onTVNZ and then onRNZ's Morning Report, Luxon was unable to answer questions about how much beneficiaries actually receive.[99]
In October 2025, Luxon and Upston confirmed that the Government would tighten welfare eligibility criteria for 18 and 19-year old teenagers; with those having parents earning over NZ$65,000 being ineligible for Jobseeker and other emergency benefits from November 2026. 18 and 19 year olds, with dependent children, or who were estranged from their parents would still be eligible for welfare assistance. He said:
We're here to help and support as much as we can, but you also have to take responsibility for that and actually just consigning you to a life of welfare for 18 years is unacceptable.[100]
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Since becoming prime minister, Luxon has made overseas trips to Australia, the Pacific, south east Asia, Japan, the United States where he also met Chinese leaders. Details of these trips are described here:
According toThe Economist andForeign Policy magazine, New Zealand foreign policy under the National-led coalition government had shifted away from China in favour of closer relations with its traditionalFive Eyes partners, the United States, United Kingdom, Australia and Canada.[101] During an interview withThe Economist, Luxon said that he was looking to "diversify New Zealand's diplomatic and trade relationships away from itsreliance on China." The magazine described this shift as New Zealand's biggest pivot since theANZUS dispute in 1986 that was triggered byNew Zealand's nuclear-free policy.[102][101]
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Foreign Policy columnist Derek Grossman wrote that Luxon andForeign MinisterWinston Peters were continuing a thaw inNew Zealand–United States relations that began under National prime ministerJohn Key in 2010 and was continued by Labour prime ministerJacinda Ardern andChris Hipkins. Notable examples of this pro-US shift included theRoyal New Zealand Navy sending a ship to sail through the disputedTaiwan Strait and the National-led government's expressed interest in partnering withAUKUS andNATO.[103]
In late August 2024, Luxon expressed support forTaiwan's participation in thePacific Islands Forum in response to Chinese plans to lobby for member states to exclude Taiwan from attending the Forum's 2025 event.[104]
In April 2025, Luxon announced the Government will allocate $12 billion into defence spending over the next four years. Luxon said it was time New Zealand "pulls its weight" internationally. This will bring New Zealand's spending on defence up to 2% of its GDP, up from 1%.[105] The Child Poverty Action Group pointed out that the $12 billion allocated for defence matches the Treasury's estimate needed to halve child poverty by 2028. The group notes the auditor-general's criticism of Luxon's government for its lack of a coherent plan to address rising child poverty, underscoring public concerns about resource allocation between defence and social welfare.[106][107]
On 20 December 2023, Luxon made his first state visit as head of government toSydney where he metAustralian prime ministerAnthony Albanese. During his visit, Luxon affirmed New Zealand'snuclear-free policy but expressed openness to joining the non-nuclear pillar of theAUKUS agreement, but also stated that New Zealand was keen to do its share of "heavy lifting" in the Australia–New Zealand defence relationship. Luxon and Albanese also talked about the contribution ofNew Zealander Australians to Australia.[108]
Between 9 and 10 August 2025, Luxon hosted Albanese inQueenstown for the annual bilateral head of government talks.[109] During the meeting, the two heads of government discussed various trade and defence issues, theGaza war and Australia's501 deportation policy.[110][111] Other local and civil society leaders attended the bilateral meeting includingMayor of Queenstown-Lakes Glyn Lewers,Southland MPJoseph Mooney,Ngai TahuTipene O'Regan and Edward Ellison, and New Zealand actor and film-makerCliff Curtis.[110] The two leaders also laid wreaths at a memorial to fallenANZAC soldiers inArrowtown on 10 August.[111]
Luxon has consistently expressed strong opposition to Australia's 501 deportation policy, particularly when it results in people with minimal ties to New Zealand being deported. He has repeatedly called the policy "regrettable" and "not right." He has expressed disappointment that Australia reversed its previous, more lenient approach, which took into account the length of time someone had lived in Australia and their family connections before deporting them.[112] He has stated, "It's just not right that people who have no connection to New Zealand are deported to New Zealand."[113]
Following his discussions with Albanese, Luxon said: "We respect the fact that Australia has its own policies around deportation," but hoped that common sense would prevail.[108]
Luxon's leadership and ability to govern effectively have been challenged by the roles and actions of his coalition partners, David Seymour (ACT) and Winston Peters (NZ First). A recurring concern is his perceived lack of control over his coalition partners.[1] A poll in April 2024 found that 51% of respondents say Luxon is the decision maker in government.[2]
David Seymour has openly challenged Luxon's authority, particularly around contentious issues like the Treaty Principles Bill. Seymour's public skepticism about Luxon's commitments and his willingness to contradict the prime minister in public have reinforced perceptions of Luxon's weak leadership.[114] Seymour even asserts that Luxon cannot unilaterally sack ACT ministers which highlights the limits of Luxon's executive power within the coalition.[2]
On the other hand, Winston Peters is seen as an unpredictable and influential force, who has not hesitated to critique government policy or his own coalition's fiscal plans. In March 2024, he undercut finance minister Nicola Willis by claiming a $5.6b fiscal hole would result from her intended tax cuts.[115]
Luxon's background as a corporate executive is often cited as influencing his communication style, sometimes to his detriment. He has been criticised for using business jargon – such as referring to voters as "customers"- and for appearing out of touch with ordinary New Zealanders.[116][117] Janet Wilson, former chief press secretary for the National Party said he memorises talking points and sounds like a 'talking robot'.[118]
Luxon has also been repeatedly criticised for avoiding direct answers to straightforward questions, particularly in high-profile media interviews. A notable example occurred during theAndrew Bayly resignation saga, where Luxon was pressed multiple times byMike Hosking to state whether he would have sacked Bayly if he had not resigned. Luxon sidestepped the question for several minutes, eventually conceding that he would have "demoted" Bayly and that "you can call it sacked" – a performance that was widely described as evasive.[119]
Luxon's approach to coalition management and controversial legislation has also drawn criticism for being diffident and weak. His handling of the ACT Party's Treaty Principles Bill – supporting its introduction, but pledging to vote against it later – has been seen by some as lacking conviction and clarity, further reinforcing perceptions of indecisiveness. Luxon claimed that allowing the Treaty Principles Bill a first reading was "worth it to form government".[120]
In April 2024, a1News-Verianpoll was released, showing the National-ACT-New Zealand Firstcoalition government convincingly behind the left bloc ofLabour, theGreen Party andTe Pāti Māori. It also cast doubt on the strength of Luxon's leadership compared to that of his coalition partnersWinston Peters andDavid Seymour, with 51% of respondents believing Luxon was the decision-maker in the government.[121]
A subsequent poll by Talbot Mills suggested a Labour-led government would have a bare majority of 62 seats, while Roy Morgan found 54% of those they surveyed believed New Zealand was heading in "the wrong direction", with just 35% believing it was in the right direction.[122][123][124] In June, a poll showed Luxon fall behind opposition leaderChris Hipkins in net favourability for the first time.[125]
Opinion polls show that Luxon's lack of popularity has deepened over his first 18 months in office. His net favourability is notably lower than previous first-term Prime Ministers such as Helen Clark, John Key, and Jacinda Ardern. Max Rashbrooke, senior research associate at the Institute for Governance and Policy Studies at Victoria University of Wellington, says a common criticism is "Luxon's inability to articulate what he stands for" or what he is trying to achieve for the country.[1] Six months later, in October 2025, The Post/Freshwater Strategy poll found that 27% of voters view Luxon positively, while 51% have an unfavourable view.[126]
My faith is personal to me. It is not in itself a political agenda. I believe no religion should dictate to the State, and no politician should use the political platform they have to force their beliefs on others. As MPs, we serve the common cause of all New Zealanders—not one religion, not one group, not one interest. A person should not be elected because of their faith, nor should they be rejected because of it.
Luxon is anevangelical Christian who is recognised as asocial conservative.[127][128] In hismaiden parliamentary speech, Luxon defined himself ascentre-right and moderate;[5] the government he leads has been described asconservative andright-wing, and one of the most so sincethe 1990s.[129][130][131][132] Luxon supports low taxes,[133][134] making cuts to theMinistry of Social Development,[135] establishing military-styleboot-camps for young offenders, and introducing stringent anti-gang legislation, and is opposed towelfare dependency and toco-governance withMāori.[136]
In November 2019, Luxon said he was againstabortion,euthanasia, andlegalising recreational cannabis, though at the same time he supportedmedicinal use of cannabis.[137][138] He also at the time supported a "no jab, no pay" policy for sanctioning welfare beneficiaries who did not vaccinate their children;[139] however, following his election as leader of the National Party, Luxon said he did not support cutting the benefits of parents who do not vaccinate their children againstCOVID-19.[140] Luxon has also firmly stood against efforts toreform New Zealand's water system.
Luxon's views on abortion received media attention following his election as National's leader. He confirmed that his personal views areanti-abortion, but said National will not contest theAbortion Legislation Act 2020 should he become prime minister.[141] After previously declining to answer when asked if he believes abortion to be tantamount to murder,[142] he said in an interview withNewshub that he is "a pro-life person," and when asked again about the murder comparison, he responded "that's what a pro-life position is."[143][144]
In response to theGaza war, Luxon stated that he was shocked and saddened byHamas'sOctober 7 attacks against Israel. Luxon condemned Hamas' attacks and stated that Israel had a right to defend itself.[145]
He later committed New Zealand to active military support, saying "I want us to be in lockstep with our partners who have common interests and actually be right there with them at that time."[146] In January 2024, he authorised deployment of 6 NZDF personnel to support military action againstHouthi forces in theRed Sea, saying "it's about us standing up for things that we believe in, and we can either talk about them or we can actually do something about it as well and make sure that we put real capability alongside our words".[146]
On 30 January 2024, Luxon announced that New Zealand would be suspending its annual NZ$1 million aid toUNRWA (the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestinian Refugees in the Near East) followingallegations that several UNRWA workers had participated in the October 7 attacks.[147] His announcement followed a decision by theMinistry of Foreign Affairs and Trade to review New Zealand's aid to UNRWA.[148] On 29 February 2024, Luxon announced New Zealand's designation ofHamas in its entirety as a terrorist entity.[149]
As the war on Gaza unfolded, Luxon's position changed. On 2 December 2024, Luxon confirmed that New Zealand would comply with anInternational Criminal Court (ICC)arrest warrant in the event thatIsraeli Prime MinisterBenjamin Netanyahu visited New Zealand. During a press conference, he stated, "We believe in the international rules-based system, we support the ICC, and we would be obligated to do so."[150] In June 2025, he described New Zealand's sanctions on Israeli ministersBezalel Smotrich andItamar Ben-Gvir as "entirely appropriate".[151]
On 9 August 2025, Luxon and Australian Prime MinisterAnthony Albanese called for a ceasefire in Gaza and opposed Israeli plans to occupyGaza City.[152] On 13 August 2025, Luxon made remarks in Parliament criticising Israel's conduct during the Gaza war, describing it as "utterly, utterly appalling." He also said that "I think Netanyahu has gone way too far. I think he has lost the plot."[153]
In late November 2021, Luxon said the practice ofconversion therapy was "abhorrent".[154][155] In early February 2022, he said he supportsNew Zealand's LGBT+ community and announced that National MPs would be allowed a conscience vote on theConversion Practices Prohibition Legislation Bill.[156][157] The Bill passed its third and final reading on 15 February 2022,[158] with Luxon voting in favour of the Bill's passage.[159]
Although Luxon frequently criticised the Labour Government's strategy for managing theCOVID-19 pandemic, on 8 January 2022, he stated that the National Party strongly supportsCOVID-19 vaccination, and described vaccination as the best protection for people and their families.[160]
In response to US presidentDonald Trump's announcement during the2025 APEC Summit that the United States would resumenuclear testing, Luxon expressed disapproval of US plans to resume nuclear testing and reiterated his commitment to New Zealand'snuclear-free policy.[161]
On 20 September 2024, Luxon said that the coalition government was open to holding a referendum to extend the parliamentary term from three to four years at the 2026 general election.[162] On 27 February 2025, the government introduced theTerm of Parliament (Enabling 4-year Term) Legislation Amendment Bill to conduct a referendum.[163]
On 3 May 2023, Luxon acknowledged the historical sensitivity around thedawn raids of the 1970s which disproportionately targetedPasifika New Zealanders. However, he stated thatImmigration New Zealand needed to "reserve the option" to usepolice raids against individuals involved in serious criminal offending or who posed a security risk to New Zealand. Luxon also stated there were 14,000 overstayers in New Zealand. Luxon's remarks came in response to media coverage of the agency's recent dawn raid tactics against visa overstayers, which had attracted criticism from Deputy Prime MinisterCarmel Sepuloni for re-traumatising the Pasifika community.[164]
On 11 December 2023, Luxon stated that New Zealand's 118,000 annual net migration rate was unsustainable and that infrastructure needed to be managed better to support growth. Luxon made these remarks after the Australian Government announced a new migration strategy to address pressure on housing and infrastructure in Australia.[165]
In late January 2023, Luxon stated that National opposedco-governance in the delivery of public services such as health, education and critical infrastructure. Nevertheless, he expressed support for "self-driven" initiatives within the Māori community such asWhānau Ora,kohanga reo andcharter schools.[166][167] On 25 January, Luxon stated that the existence ofMāori seats "doesn't make a lot of sense."[168][169]
DuringWaitangi Day on 6 February 2023, Luxon described theTreaty of Waitangi as a "challenging, imperfect but ultimately inspiring document through which New Zealand had sought to understand what was intended by those who signed it." While acknowledging that theNew Zealand Crown had not upheld the Treaty's promises and obligations, he expressed hope that theTreaty settlement process would be completed by 2030.[170]
During a Question Time in Parliament on 20 August 2024, Luxon said that he believed that Māori ceded sovereignty to theNew Zealand Crown by signing the Treaty of Waitangi. When questioned byGreen co-leaderChlöe Swarbrick, Luxon reiterated that the Treaty was New Zealand's founding document and said that it had protected both Māori and Crown interests.
On 19 December 2024, Luxon confirmed that he would not be attending events at theWaitangi Treaty Grounds on 4 February 2025, stating that it was his intention to celebrate Waitangi Day around New Zealand with different iwi. National Waitangi Trust chairperson Pita Tipene expressed disappointment with Luxon's decision while Labour leaderChris Hipkins said that Luxon was "running away from problems of his own creation."[171]
Luxon has described himself as a "soft republican" and believes that New Zealand will "ultimately" become arepublic, but that the change would not happen "in my Government and in my time."[172]
On 1 March 2025, Luxon said that theschool lunch programme was experiencing "teething issues" in response to quality and delivery issues with the Government's new school lunch programme. He added that Associate Education Minister Seymour "will work his way through those issues... and I expect he will [find a solution]."[173] On 4 March, Luxon stated during a press conference that parents who were dissatisfied with the school lunch programme should "make a marmite sandwich and put an apple in a bag".[174] Luxon's remarks drew criticism fromHora Hora School principal and Tai Tokerau Principals' Association spokesman Pat Newman,Child Poverty Action Group executive officer Sarita Divis,East Otago High School principal Helen Newcombe, who argued that school lunches were needed to improve the health and educational outcomes of students and combat child poverty.[175][176] In response to criticism, Luxon defended his remarks and reiterated the Government's commitment to addressing problems with the school lunch programme.[177]
While Luxon regards sex education as important to the school curriculum, in February 2024 he stated that it should be age appropriate and that parents should be able to withdraw their children from sex education classes if they choose.[178]
When asked in March 2023 if anti-transgender activistPosie Parker should be allowed to enter New Zealand, Luxon said that he affirmed people's right tofree speech but that he "absolutely" supported therights of New Zealand's transgender community.[179] In mid-August, Luxon said that he believes there is no need forlaws specifying which toilets transgender people can use.[180] During aTVNZ debate with Prime Minister Chris Hipkins in September, he said that the participation oftransgender people in sports is an issue that should be left to sporting bodies.[181]
Luxon met his wife Amanda at a church youth group[7] and they married on 8 January 1994[182] when he was 23.[183] They have a son and daughter. The couple share the same faith, saying "it quietly guides what they care about".[184]
In late July 2022, Luxon confirmed he was on a family holiday in Hawaii during the parliamentary recess when a Facebook video post published on 21 July implied he was visitingTe Puke at that time. Luxon attributed the confusion to a delay in his social media team updating his whereabouts over the previous week, which he said was a mistake.[185][186]
Luxon had a Catholic upbringing,[183] but describes himself as a non-denominational Christian.[187] After he returned to New Zealand in 2011 he attended theUpper Room church in Auckland. He now does not go to a regular church, adding that he doesn't even go to church every Sunday.[183] In his maiden speech in Parliament, he said “My faith is personal to me. It is not in itself a political agenda.”[188]
Luxon has said that he has never drunk alcohol in his life. He made that decision at the age of about seven or eight and has cited his grandfather's drinking problems as his reason.[189]
Luxon enjoysDIY, listening tocountry music,waterskiing and fishing.[190][191][184] Luxon is a supporter of theCrusadersrugby union team[192][193] andAuckland FC inassociation football.[194] He attended Auckland FC's first ever match in theA-League Men in 2024, where he was pranked by an Auckland FC fan who flicked his nose while posing for a photo.[195]
Luxon has a long-standing friendship with former Prime Minister John Key and used to ask Key questions about the pros and cons of being a prime minister.[196]In an interview with podcaster Dom Harvey, Luxon said the friendship includes their wives. The four of them spend quite a bit of time together and try to catch up every weekend. Luxon said they were mates long before he went into politics and described his friendship with Key as a "really special relationship... and that as Prime Minister, its really special to have one of your mates who was Prime Minister as well." However, he says that when they talk, they're "mates first, and politics is second."[197]
In 2017, while Luxon was chief executive at Air New Zealand, John Key was appointed as an Air New Zealand director. They both resigned from Air New Zealand in 2019.[198]
In 2015, Luxon was named the Deloitte Top 200 CEO of the Year for his leadership at Air New Zealand.[199]
In 2019, Luxon won a BLAKE Award for his sustainability initiatives at Air New Zealand.[200]
[...] Mr Luxon said he was against voluntary euthanasia, recreational cannabis and abortion reform – but is in favour of medicinal cannabis.
He was asked by RNZ'sSusie Ferguson whether he supported the policy of withdrawing sole parent support benefits for parents that don't vaccinate their children – currently just a 'proposal' by National, not an actual policy.
Luxon said he supported the idea, and even indicated some support for it extending toWorking For Families benefits.
| New Zealand Parliament | ||
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| Preceded by | Member of Parliament for Botany 2020–present | Incumbent |
| Political offices | ||
| Preceded by | Leader of the Opposition 2021–2023 | Succeeded by |
| Preceded by | Prime Minister of New Zealand 2023–present | Incumbent |
| Party political offices | ||
| Preceded by | Leader of the National party 2021–present | Incumbent |
| Business positions | ||
| Preceded by | Chief executive officer ofAir New Zealand 2013–2019 | Succeeded by |
| Order of precedence | ||
| Preceded byasGovernor-General | Order of Precedence of New Zealand asPrime Minister | Succeeded byasSpeaker of the House of Representatives |
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