LUXON, WILLIS TAKE NATIONAL PARTY REINS

Former Air New Zealand chief executive Christopher Luxon has been elected leader of the National Party, with Nicola Willis elected deputy leader.

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 leader.

Luxon said it was a ‘‘tremendous privilege’’ to be elected leader 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, MP 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.

Luxon arrived at Parliament shortly before the 3pm meeting, taking an extremely short drive from an apartment block across the road. He planned to address the media at 4.30pm, but issued a short statement ahead of that.

‘‘Now, more than ever, New Zealand needs the National Party to offer them hope, ambition and drive to meet the challenges of the coming decade,’’ Luxon said.

‘‘We believe New Zealanders need a government of action – not rhetoric.

‘‘I came to politics because I know how to solve problems and get things done. I have built a career out of reversing the fortunes of under-performing companies and I’ll bring that realworld experience to this role.’’

It is likely that Bridges has been offered some kind of senior position in exchange for stepping down. There was a widespread desire within the party to avoid a contested vote, but neither side was backing down as late as yesterday morning, with the party having to book two different press conference locations in Parliament as each contender wanted a different space.

Luxon, 51, was elected to Parliament in the safe National seat of Botany at the last election. Prior to politics, he had an extensive business career that included leading Air New

Zealand between 2012 and 2019, and senior roles at Unilever.

A National Party source said a rumour that Luxon would offer Collins the role of Speaker should National win the general election in 2023 was wrong.

National’s MPs still planned to meet at 3pm to formally vote for Luxon as leader – as well as a new deputy leader.

Several National sources suggested that Luxon had pushed for Willis to be his deputy but that Bridges was against this.

Willis was a key figure in the caucus coup that overturned Bridges’ leadership in 2020.

National MP Stuart Smith said on his way into Parliament yesterday that Luxon’s experience at Air New Zealand would transfer well to leadership.