Christopher Luxon


Christopher Luxon is a former chief executive officer of Air New Zealand and the New Zealand National Party's candidate 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 finish high school in his birth city. He studied Master's in Commerce at the University of Canterbury and majored in business administration.

Business career

Luxon was previously on the boards of Tourism New Zealand and Virgin Australia. 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. 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.

Political career

Luxon contested the National Party's candidate nomination in Botany, running against National Party list candidate Agnes Loheni, 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. On 4 November 2019, Luxon was nominated as the National Party's Botany candidate for the 2020 general election.

Political views

Luxon is opposed to abortion law reform, decriminalising euthanasia, and recreational cannabis. However, he supports medicinal cannabis. Luxon also has supported a "no-jab-no-pay" policy for sanctioning welfare beneficiaries who do not vaccinate their children.

Personal life

Luxon identifies as an evangelical Christian. He is married and has a son and daughter.