After winning a decisive election victory on Saturday, Conservative former businessman Christopher Luxon is set to become New Zealand’s next prime minister. The opposition National Party had won the election taking enough seats to form a coalition government.
While reacting to the victory, Luxon thanked his voters and said that they “voted for change”.
Luxon promised that “our government will deliver for every New Zealander...We would build the economy and deliver tax relief.” He also added that they would bring down the cost of living and restore law and order.
Around 96 per cent of votes have been counted. However a final result is scheduled to be declared on November 3.
Incumbent Prime Minister Chris Hipkins of Labour Party conceded his defeat. Hipkins took over as PM when ‘rockstar’ Jacinda Ardern stepped down in January. Ardern had won the elections in a landslide but her popularity waned with Covid-19 restrictions and inflation threatening the economy.
After six years of liberal government led by Jacinda Ardern, voters voted for a change. Labour Party lost its support with repeated country’s long Covid lockdown and surging prices.
Who is Christopher Luxon
Businessman-turned politician Luxon, 53, joined active politics in 2019. Born in Chirstchurch, he was eldest of the three sons. He took his masters of commerce degree from Canterbury University.
Later, an internship at multinational consumer goods company Unilever gave him the oppurtunity to travel around the world as brands manager. He then became the president and chief executive of the Unilever's Canadian operation.
Luxon spent seven years as chief executive of Air New Zealand.
He had met his wife Amanda at a church youth group when he was aged 15. He has two children—William and Olivia.
During one of his speech, he said that New Zealand is "heading in the wrong direction". "I came to politics because I know how to solve problems and get things done," Luxon said in his maiden speech.
Luxon’s National Party is expected form an alliance with the libertarian ACT Party to form the government.
Luxon has promised tax cuts for middle-income earners and a crackdown on crime during his campaign. While, Hipkins had promised free dental care for people younger than 30 and the removal of sales taxes on fruit and vegetables.
Luxon has promised to axe the Maori Health Authority, which he says creates two separate health systems.