Christopher Luxon

Christopher Luxon (born 1970 or 1971[1]) is a New Zealand businessman and politician of the New Zealand National Party. He is the former chief executive officer of Air New Zealand[2][3] and was elected MP for Botany in the 2020 New Zealand general election.

Christopher Luxon

MP
Member of the New Zealand Parliament
for Botany
Assumed office
17 October 2020
Preceded byJami-Lee Ross
Personal details
Born1970 or 1971
NationalityNew Zealand
Political partyNational
Known forFormer CEO of Air New Zealand MP for Botany

Early life and family

Luxon was born in Christchurch 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. The family returned to Christchurch and Luxon finished high school in his birth city.[1][4] He studied Master's in Commerce at the University of Canterbury and majored in business administration.[1]

Business career

Luxon was previously on the boards of Tourism New Zealand and Virgin Australia.[2] Luxon also served as the President and chief executive officer of Unilever's Canadian operations. In May 2011, Luxon joined Air New Zealand and was appointed as the company's chief executive officer in 19 June 2012, succeeding Rob Fyfe.[5] On 20 June 2019, Luxon announced that he was resigning as CEO of Air New Zealand and hinted at a possible career with the National Party.[6]

Political career
New Zealand Parliament
Years Term Electorate List Party
2020–present 53rd Botany 61 National

Luxon contested the National Party's candidate nomination in Botany, running against 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.[7][8]

During the 2020 New Zealand general election held on 17 October, Luxon won Botany, defeating Labour's candidate Naisi Chen by a margin of 3,999 votes.[9][10][11]

Political views

Luxon opposes abortion-law reform, decriminalising euthanasia, and recreational cannabis; he supports the use of medicinal cannabis.[12] Luxon also has supported a "no-jab-no-pay" policy for sanctioning welfare beneficiaries who do not vaccinate their children.[13]

Personal life

Luxon identifies as an evangelical Christian.[7] He is married and has a son and daughter.[2]

Notes and references
  1. Bradley, Grant (7 June 2013). "Air NZ's flying salesman". The New Zealand Herald. Archived from the original on 21 August 2020. Retrieved 12 November 2019.
  2. "Christopher Luxon". Bloomberg News. Archived from the original on 10 November 2019. Retrieved 10 November 2019.
  3. Block, George (4 November 2019). "National chooses former Air NZ boss Christopher Luxon as Botany MP candidate". Stuff. Archived from the original on 21 August 2020. Retrieved 10 November 2019.
  4. Espiner, Guyon (24 February 2016). "Christopher Luxon: New heights of success". New Zealand Listener. Archived from the original on 21 August 2020. Retrieved 10 November 2019.
  5. "Air New Zealand Announces New Chief Executive Officer". Scoop. 19 June 2012. Archived from the original on 11 June 2019. Retrieved 30 June 2013.
  6. "Air New Zealand chief executive Christopher Luxon resigns, hints at political move". New Zealand Herald. 20 June 2019. Archived from the original on 7 April 2020. Retrieved 10 November 2019.
  7. Block, George (4 November 2019). "National chooses former Air NZ boss Christopher Luxon as Botany MP candidate". Stuff. Archived from the original on 21 August 2020. Retrieved 10 November 2019.
  8. "National selects Christopher Luxon as its new candidate for Botany". The New Zealand Herald. 5 November 2019. Archived from the original on 16 January 2020. Retrieved 10 November 2019.
  9. "Botany - Official Result". Electoral Commission. Retrieved 7 November 2020.
  10. Small, Zane (18 October 2020). "NZ Election 2020 - Winners and losers: Chris Luxon a victory for National but Labour flips flood of seats red". Newshub. Archived from the original on 18 October 2020. Retrieved 18 October 2020.
  11. Weekes, John (18 October 2020). "Election 2020: Chris Luxon cruises to victory as new Botany MP". Stuff. Archived from the original on 18 October 2020. Retrieved 18 October 2020.
  12. "Christopher Luxon suggests extension of 'no jab, no pay' policy". Radio New Zealand. 5 November 2019. Archived from the original on 30 July 2020. Retrieved 10 August 2020. [...] Mr Luxon said he was against voluntary euthanasia, recreational cannabis and abortion reform - but is in favour of medicinal cannabis.
  13. Cooke, Henry (5 November 2019). "Christopher Luxon backs no-jab-no-pay further than the National Party". Stuff. Archived from the original on 10 November 2019. Retrieved 10 August 2020. He was asked by RNZ's Susie 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 to Working For Families benefits.
New Zealand Parliament
Preceded by
Jami-Lee Ross		 Member of Parliament for Botany
2020–present		 Incumbent
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