Luxon to lead National with Willis in deputy role

Former Air NZ CEO Christopher Luxon has been elected leader of the National Party, with Nicola Willis elected deputy.

He is the first leader of a major party to be elected so soon after his entrance to Parliament, ever, beating out Labour’s Harry Holland and National’s Don Brash with just 409 days as an MP before becoming party leader.

Luxon said it was a ‘‘tremendous privilege’’ to be elected and New Zealand needed a Government of ‘‘action not rhetoric’’.

‘‘The unified National Party that Nicola and I lead will work every day to represent all New Zealanders, earn back their trust and confidence, and deliver for them,’’ Luxon said.

‘‘We are the new National Party that New Zealand needs.’’

Luxon’s election became certain after his main rival Simon Bridges announced his withdrawal from the race in a tweet yesterday afternoon ahead of the caucus meeting at 3pm.

‘‘This morning I met with Chris Luxon and had a great discussion. I am withdrawing from the leadership contest and will be backing Chris.

‘‘He will make a brilliant National leader and prime minister,’’ Bridges said.

Bridges and Luxon have been the only serious contenders in discussion over the weekend, since the party ousted Judith Collins from the leadership in a confidence vote last week.

It is likely that Bridges has been offered some kind of senior position in exchange for stepping down.

Leader of the Opposition is often described as the worst job in politics. No doubt it’s a cliche, but it holds true for those who’ve occupied the position within the National Party since John Key left in 2016: Bill English, Simon Bridges, Todd Muller, Judith Collins.

None has had an easy ride, thanks to a popular prime minister who expertly steered the country through a string of crises. To add to the party’s woes, National has experienced a series of scandals off the back of poor culture and selection processes – all troubles of its own making.

Of course, this isn’t a phenomenon unique to National. It wasn’t long ago that Labour polled just 24 per cent with Andrew Little at the helm. But as Jacinda Ardern showed, sometimes a new leader has the ability to turn a party around.

National will be hoping Christopher Luxon has that same star quality; the ability to inject new energy; to unify the caucus.

That doesn’t mean to say Luxon will be a silver bullet. Deep-seated issues within National won’t dissipate overnight.

The former Air NZ chief executive will soon experience the harsh realities of the job: every mistake that comes with being a first-term MP will be seized upon and then picked apart in public. He’ll learn that leading in the boardroom is different to leading in the caucus room.

The hype that’s followed Luxon in his short political career adds another dynamic: with expectation comes pressure.

And the fundamentalist Christian will have to navigate how to separate his views on issues like abortion from his identity as National Party leader, or risk alienating middle New Zealand.

In his maiden speech, Luxon said no religion should dictate to the state, and no politician should use their political platform to push their beliefs on others.

The selection of socially liberal Nicola Willis as deputy leader is a recognition that a balance is needed, and that separating church and state is never as easy as it seems.

No doubt 51-year-old Luxon will stumble. But if he can inject good systems and culture into the party, fellow MPs will be there to keep him from falling, rather than racing to push him down.

A political leader with competence – not just confidence – who is willing to listen to good advice, admit what they don’t know, and point the party in a new direction, is what the country deserves.

Because being Leader of the Opposition is more than just the worst job in politics, it’s also one of the most important roles in a democracy. An opposition that conducts itself as a government-in-waiting improves accountability; it puts pressure on those in power to do better.

As New Zealand pulls itself out the other side of a global pandemic, the country moves into a new Covid-19 framework, borders reopen, and a new variant arrives on the scene, Luxon and National have an opportunity. They also have a duty.

In the minutes after his selection, Luxon promised unity: ‘‘I will work every day to represent all New Zealanders, earn back their trust and confidence, and deliver for them,’’ he said.

The country needed a National Party that could offer ‘‘hope, ambition and drive’’, he added. He described himself as ‘‘the reset’’. Right now, it seems things can only get better for the Opposition, and the country needs them to.

An opposition that conducts itself as a government-in-waiting improves accountability; it puts pressure on those in power to do better.