Discovering Chris Luxon

What do we know about Chris Luxon – not the politician, but the bloke?

Well, we all know he’s got his eye on the biggest o ce in the executive wing of e Beehive.

We know he wants to be Prime Minister of this nation of 5,185,288 million people.

But what about the prosaic things like favourite ice cream. And would his choice in uence your choice on Election Day –Saturday, October 14? e

Weekend Sun’s Merle Cave sat down with Chris Luxon when he swept through town recently. And she scratched just below the surface with 10-quick re questions to nd out what makes him tick. e would-be Prime Minister was happy to play the game.

So we can reveal Chris Luxon always opts for a tub of Ben and Jerry’s Phish Food ice cream when the craving demands. Perhaps not a political choice with the brand being American?

Lasagne

Phish Food – chocolate ice cream, gooey marshmallows, caramel swirls and chocolate sh. Just the name is calorie intense.

His choice of favourite meal he shares with Gar eld, the comic strip cat with an obsessive eating love of lasagne.

“Yes, lasagne cooked by my wife and daughter,” says Chris. He’s slavering at the thought. A more melancholy leader of the party remembers his fondest childhood moment. “Spending time with my grandparents in Christchurch –as a ve-year-old, learning to read with my grandfather.”

Favourite movie? “I’ve just watched ‘ e Tender Bar’” It’s about a boy growing up on New York’s Long Island. “He seeks out father gures among patrons at his uncle’s bar. Really cool –would recommend it to anyone.”

And ‘ e Blind Side’ – the story of an American footballer who overcame an impoverished upbringing to play in the NFL.

Yup. e man on the right of the political spectrum is right-handed, his favourite subject at school was history, and when asked what sort of animal he’d like to be, he is stumped. “Pass.”

Perhaps a cuddly panda bear?

How does he relieve the stress of a top political job? “Me, the kids and Amanda listen to a lot of music.” en he likes to get into a T-shirt and shorts and do a bit of boating and shing. “I try to have a lot of fun in my life, positivity, a lot of friends, good family and good colleagues.

“I take my job seriously but I don’t take myself seriously.” It is, he reckons, a good way to live life.

Soul-searching

en some soul-searching – one thing people don’t know about Chris Luxon and he’d like them to know? “I care deeply about New Zealand and New Zealanders. And I want everyone to ourish, that is my motivation.

“ ey deserve a shot at the Kiwi dream, whatever that is, and I want them to ourish.” en the opposition leader wanders out of e Weekend Sun courtyard, probably in search of some Phish and the serious prospect of maybe running a country. anks for playing the game Chris.

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