New Zealand's political sphere is witnessing a transformation as former airline executive Christopher Luxon, a relative newcomer to the political arena, is poised to become the nation's next prime minister. Luxon's centre-right National Party, in coalition with the right-wing ACT Party, has secured enough parliamentary seats to potentially form a new government following last week's general election.
The final outcome, however, remains pending, as New Zealand is yet to count special votes, accounting for approximately 20% of the total ballots. At present, the National Party has clinched 50 seats, with the ACT Party securing 11 seats.
Collectively, they have secured a slender one-seat majority in the 121-seat parliament. In contrast, the incumbent Labour Party has so far attained just 34 seats.
Luxon, a former ice cream and deodorant seller, has emerged as a formidable leader in the wake of New Zealand's cost of living crisis and a three-decade high inflation rate.
He has pledged to navigate the country through these economic challenges while reducing government debt. During his victory speech on Saturday, Luxon asserted, "We listened to the people needing interest rates to come down so they can pay their mortgages. We listened to the people that need tax relief to help pay for the grocery bills."
Christopher Luxon's Journey
Born in Christchurch on July 19, 1970, Luxon's humble beginnings saw him growing up in Auckland, New Zealand's largest city, where he attended state schools. His father worked as a sales representative, while his mother served as a receptionist. Luxon earned a Master of Commerce degree at the University of Canterbury in Christchurch before embarking on a remarkable career with the multinational corporation Unilever.
His professional journey spanned 18 years with the company, leading him to work in Australia, Britain, Canada, and the United States. Over time, he climbed the corporate ranks, eventually becoming the Chief Executive of Unilever's Canadian operations. Subsequently, he took the helm as the CEO of Air New Zealand, where he provided leadership to the airline for six years.
Luxon, a married father of two, is a millionaire with an interesting set of quirks. He abstains from both coffee and alcohol and reportedly doesn't require much sleep. He boasts a collection of homes across the country and professes to be a fan of Taylor Swift.
He is portrayed as an exceptionally disciplined individual with an unwavering work ethic and an extensive knowledge of management and leadership. Known for his avid reading of political and self-help literature, Luxon's favorite book at the moment is 'The Inner Game of Tennis' by W. Timothy Gallwey, exploring the mental aspects of peak performance.
Career
Luxon made his foray into politics in 2020, defeating Labour's candidate Naisi Chen by a margin of approximately 4,000 votes in the general election. Speculations about his ascent to the leadership of the National Party started circulating soon after.
During his campaign for the 2023 general election, Luxon projected himself as a "positive, inoffensive, and ambitious" figure. Nonetheless, his references to Christianity in a predominantly secular country drew criticism, considering that nearly half of New Zealand's population identifies as non-religious.
The politician has also had to navigate contentious issues such as his personal opposition to abortion. Luxon, however, has affirmed his commitment to maintaining legal abortion and supporting same-sex marriage.
As the election neared, both Luxon and his opponent, Chris Hipkins, found it challenging to connect with voters, particularly in comparison to New Zealand's former Prime Minister, Jacinda Ardern. Analysts suggest that Luxon faces challenges related to likability and trust, with political scientist Lara Greaves noting that he is among the least-liked prime minister candidates.
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