Simon Watts puts the questions to Christopher Luxon

National’s North Shore MP Simon Watts has quickly got into the swing of national politics after being elected to Parliament in 2020. New National Party Leader Christopher Luxon was also elected to Parliament at that time as the MP for Botany. The two have established a close rapport over the past two years, both on the campaign trail and since the election. Simon was keen for the North Shore to know more about Christopher Luxon and put these questions to him in mid-March. We asked Simon to finish off the interview by quizzing him about some of his favourites.

Christopher Luxon with National’s deputy leader Nicola Willis.

A chat with CHRISTOPHER LUXON

Interviewed by National’s North Shore MP, Simon Watts

About Chris – Christopher Luxon is a husband, father and son. He entered politics with a different background from most politicians. His first job was at McDonald’s in Christchurch where he ran the drivethrough. After university he joined Unilever, a multi-national consumer goods company. He returned to New Zealand where he led our most iconic company, Air New Zealand, and its team of 12,000 staff as CEO for a number of years. Chris then joined the National Party and entered politics because he wants New Zealand to realise its maximum potential, and wants to help build a society where every Kiwi can flourish and get ahead. Chris became National’s Leader at the end of 2021, and within a few short months the party has refocused its efforts to be a strong alternative government for the next election.

Simon Watts: What made you give up corporate life for politics?

Chris Luxon: I spent a lot of time in the commercial world overseas and as part of my job, I saw a lot of different countries and the good and bad of different systems. When I was the CEO of Air New Zealand, I worked with different governments and political parties, seeing many of the challenges they faced, alongside the positives. When I finished up there, I could have carried on doing another corporate job here or overseas, but I realised I wanted to do something that would give back. I’m not a career politician, but I do think New Zealand is the best country on earth and I want to help it reach its maximum potential in all areas – environmentally, socially and economically.

We also want each and every New Zealander to flourish and to have an equality of opportunity to be able to pursue their version of the Kiwi dream, whatever that may be.

SW: Things have moved pretty fast haven’t they. Are you enjoying it?

CL: I absolutely love it. It's a really cool job, a great privilege and a tremendous responsibility. I've loved every aspect of it so far.

SW: What is the biggest change you have had to adjust to?

CL: I think the reality is there’s a lot that’s very similar to my former life as a CEO and that is transferable to the political world. I’ve led large

numbers of people and am used to spending time with lots of people in any given day. So that side of things isn’t too different. But what is a big adjustment is the parliamentary process, which has been a big learning curve. It’s unique and takes some time to master, but I’ve enjoyed that aspect too. I also enjoy thinking about policy and what we can do to make things better, and to solve some of those problems and realise opportunities. I enjoy meeting people who are supporters, and even those who aren’t.

SW: Well done on your work as the new leader over the past few months. Can you tell readers about the National Party plan for the country under your leadership? What will change the most?

CL: Well, we believe that New Zealand is the best country on earth, but we want it to realise its maximum potential economically, socially and environmentally. We also want each and every New Zealander to flourish and to have an equality of opportunity to be able to pursue their version of the Kiwi dream, whatever that may be. And that means we have to work on some of those challenges that are getting in the way of New Zealanders being able to do just that. We really want to bring back confidence, ambition, aspiration, positivity and optimism, because I think New Zealand’s been playing quite a fearful, small and inward-looking game. It's a big world out there with 195 countries and 7.8 billion people, and I want New Zealand to be a strong competitor.

SW: We’re facing some big challenges as a country aren’t we? In your view what are the biggest challenges that need to be addressed?

CL: Well, the biggest challenge we have is this cost of living crisis that we're facing into right now. It'll be with us for some time and I am really concerned about it. Older New Zealanders will remember the double digit inflation and double digit interest rates, and they know how damaging that was to the economy. If you don't deal with it and you aren’t managing the economy well, you won’t have the ability to invest in the social or environmental agendas. It's really important to get the economics under control and for it to be well managed, so that we've got the money to invest in New Zealand.

SW: You’ve spent quite a bit of time with me and Erica (East Coast Bays MP Erica Stanford) on the Shore since being elected. Are you enjoying getting around the country as leader and talking to real New Zealanders?

CL: I absolutely love meeting Kiwis. People are so generous and they come up and tell you their story. They take a risk sometimes telling you their pain as well. But it's so important because you come away from those experiences with real people in your head as you try and think

Simon Watts and Christopher Luxon in Parliament, Wellington.

through how you can make life a little less expensive, a little more convenient, and keep the country just a little more united. Those are really important exchanges and interactions. People want to tell you what they hope you will and won't do, but I really appreciate them taking the time to do that.

SW: What will the measure of success be for the National Party for the rest of 2022?

CL: Really for us it’s about the ability to continue to oppose the Government strongly, but to also propose ideas. I hope the New Zealand people have started to see that. If you think about National’s response to Ukraine, we were talking about autonomous sanctions and humanitarian visas from day one. As a result, we ended up getting the Government to respond to us on that. If you think about National’s work around Covid-19 with isolation periods, getting Kiwis home, rapid antigen tests, the removal of vaccine passes and mandates and all of those sorts of things. Those are all examples where the Government ends up responding to us. I think if we do our job right, we can propose ideas – not just oppose the Government – and as a result, hopefully New Zealanders will start to see that we are an alternative government in waiting. We have a great team of people who will be outstanding Ministers and able to take the country forward.

SW: What’s your favourite food?

CL: When McDonald’s first came to Christchurch, I got a job working the drive-through at the restaurant. So my favourite food would still have to be a Quarter Pounder – but don’t tell my wife!

SW: Favourite book or author? CL: Good to Great by Jim Collins.

SW: Favourite viewing if watching the telly?

CL: I’ll try to watch the Black Caps if there is a game, but at the moment I am really enjoying the Peaky Blinders.

SW: Your favourite holiday spot in NZ?

CL: Waiheke Island.

SW: Favourite holiday spot overseas?

CL: Hawaii.

SW: Complete the following, After a busy week of politics I love nothing more than...

CL: … Getting out of the suit, getting a T-shirt and shorts on and doing some projects around home.