Christopher Mark Luxon (born 19 July 1970) is a New Zealand politician and former business executive who is currently serving as leader of the New Zealand National Party and is the Leader of the Opposition.
He has been the Member of Parliament (MP) for the Botany electorate since the 2020 general election.
He was the chief executive officer of Air New Zealand from 2012 to 2019.
Luxon also served in Judith Collins' shadow cabinet as Spokesperson for Local Government, Research, Science, Manufacturing and Land Information, as well as being the Associate Spokesperson for Transport.
He has been leader since 30 November 2021, succeeding Collins.
Early life
Luxon was born in Christchurch on 19 July 1970 and lived there until age 7 when his family moved to Howick in Auckland.
His father worked for Johnson & Johnson as a sales executive and his mother worked as a psychotherapist and counsellor.
After a year's schooling at each of Saint Kentigern College and Howick College, the family returned to Christchurch and Luxon spent three years at Christchurch Boys' High School.
He studied at the University of Canterbury from 1989 to 1992, gaining a Master of Commerce (Business Administration) degree.
Career before politics
Luxon worked for Unilever in the 18 years from 1993 to 2011, being based in Wellington (1993–1995), Sydney (1995–2000), London (2000–2003), Chicago (2003–2008) and Toronto (2008–2011).
He rose to be the President and chief executive officer of its Canadian operations.
He joined Air New Zealand as Group General Manager in May 2011 and was named the chief executive officer in 19 June 2012, succeeding Rob Fyfe at the end of that year.
During his eight-year leadership, Air New Zealand profits grew to record levels and the company was named Australia's most trusted brand several times.
He joined the boards of the Tourism Industry Association New Zealand and Virgin Australia in 2014.
In 2018, Luxon and Air New Zealand was heavily criticised by the worker's unions Aviation and Marine Engineers Association and E tū over a pay dispute.
The unions had planned a three-day strike during Christmas of the same year, but the parties reached an agreement and the strike was called off.
On 20 June 2019, Luxon announced that he was resigning from Air New Zealand and hinted at a possible career with the National Party.
In February 2021, it was revealed that while Luxon was CEO of Air New Zealand, its contracting business unit Gas Turbines was assisting Royal Saudi Navy vessels, despite them blocking essential supplies like water, food and medical assistance from Yemen.
Luxon claimed to "have no recollection of it" and that "it might've post-dated my time" – the latter claim being disputed by his successor Greg Foran.
It was met with criticism from Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and Green Party MP Golriz Ghahraman.
Luxon later admitted that Air New Zealand not having a process where its chief executive would be told about all military contracts "was a mistake".
Political career
Luxon secured the National Party candidacy for the Botany electorate, which has always been won by National and was regarded as a safe seat for them, in November 2019.
He won in a selection contest with National Party list MP Agnes Loheni, Howick Local Board chair Katrina Bungard, cancer drug campaigner Troy Elliott, and tech businessman Jake Bezzant, who was later selected as National's candidate for Upper Harbour.
Luxon won the seat in the 2020 New Zealand general election, defeating Labour's candidate Naisi Chen by a margin of 3,999 votes.
In his maiden speech, Luxon praised Martin Luther King Jr and Kate Sheppard as part of a defence of the role in public life of Christians such as himself, an identity that "it seems it has become acceptable to stereotype."
It was often speculated that Luxon would become leader of the National Party.
After the removal of Judith Collins as party leader on 25 November 2021, Luxon was cited as a potential replacement.
He took the leadership on 30 November, following the withdrawal of his main opponent, Simon Bridges.
Political views
In November 2019, Luxon said he was against abortion, euthanasia, and legalising recreational cannabis, though at the same time he supported medicinal cannabis.
He also at the time supported a "no jab, no pay" policy for sanctioning welfare beneficiaries who do not vaccinate their children; however, following his election as leader, Luxon said he did not support cutting the benefit of parents who do not vaccinate their children against COVID-19.
Luxon reiterated support for National's vote against the Conversion Practices Prohibition Legislation Bill, but said the practice was "abhorrent".
Abortion
Luxon's views on abortion received media attention following his election as National's leader.
He confirmed that his personal views are pro-life, but said he would not change abortion laws should he become prime minister.
The pro-choice Abortion Law Reform Association of New Zealand put out a statement describing his views as "not representative of the values of mainstream New Zealanders."
He was questioned about being one of only 15 MPs to vote against the first reading of a member's bill that would establish safe areas around abortion facilities.
He said that he was now able to support the bill following changes to it at the select committee stage that made it compliant with the New Zealand Bill of Rights.
After previously declining to answer when asked if believes abortion to be tantamount to murder, he said in an interview with Newshub 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."
COVID-19 pandemic responses
On 8 December 2021, Luxon called for the lifting of Auckland's border restrictions with Northland after The New Zealand Herald reported that the Ministry of Health had proposed that the Auckland border should be lifted in tandem with the country's transition into the COVID-19 Protection Framework on 3 December.
However, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and COVID-19 Response Minister Chris Hipkins had opted to retain the Auckland border until 15 December in order to reduce the risk of community transmissions and boost regional vaccination rates.
Luxon has also questioned the effectiveness of the checkpoints led and managed by police in the Auckland–Northland boundary.
Personal life
Luxon had a Catholic upbringing, describes himself as a Christian or non-denominational Christian, and has been described as an evangelical Christian.
He has attended a Baptist church in Auckland as a child, a Presbyterian church in Australia, an Anglican church in England, and non-denominational churches in the United States, Canada and New Zealand.
After he returned to New Zealand in 2011 he attended the Upper Room church in Auckland.
He had not attended a church for several years.
He met his wife Amanda at a church youth group and they married when he was 23.
They have a son and daughter, William and Olivia.
He says he enjoys DIY, listens to country music and likes to waterski.
References
External links
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