By Tracey Wilson | NZB News New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has delivered his strongest criticism yet of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, declaring he has “lost the plot” and condemning Israel’s planned military takeover of Gaza City as “utterly, utterly unacceptable.” The remarkably blunt assessment from New Zealand’s conservative leader has triggered a diplomatic spat and highlighted the country’s evolving position on the Middle East conflict. Speaking to media on Wednesday, Luxon did not mince words about Netanyahu’s leadership amid Israel’s continuing military operations in Gaza. “I think Netanyahu has gone too far. I think he has lost […]
Tag: Christopher Luxon
NZ PM’s Aide Scandal: What Happened, What’s Next, and What It Means for Government
A senior aide to New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has resigned after revelations he secretly recorded sex workers and took non-consensual photos and videos of women in public and private spaces. The scandal, which broke in early June 2025, has rocked the Beehive, raised urgent questions about government vetting and disclosure processes, and triggered calls for stronger privacy laws. Prime Minister Luxon has described the episode as “shocking” and “unacceptably short of the standards I expect from our people,” pledging a full review of how such behaviour went undetected and what changes are needed to restore public trust. This […]
Christopher Luxon’s Historic Visit to Bharat: A Comprehensive Analysis of New Zealand Prime Ministers’ Engagements with India
By Imogen King, Political Science, Business, and International Affairs Specialist, NZB News Auckland, New Zealand – As of March 19, 2025, New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon’s ongoing five-day visit to Bharat (India), from March 16 to 20, 2025, is being hailed as a historic milestone in bilateral relations. Marking his first trip to the country as Prime Minister and the first high-profile visit in nine years, Luxon’s agenda focuses on revitalizing trade ties, enhancing security cooperation, and deepening people-to-people connections. Accompanied by one of the largest delegations ever, including ministers, business leaders, and the Indian diaspora, this visit stands […]
Luxon’s India Visit: A Trade Triumph Rewrites NZ-Bharat Ties
By Imogen KingPolitical Science, Business, and International Affairs Correspondent, New Zealand Bharat News (NZB News) NEW DELHI – New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon’s five-day dash to India, wrapping up March 20, 2025, has delivered a seismic shift in NZ-India relations, restarting free trade talks after a decade and cementing ties in trade, security, and culture. Landing in Delhi on March 16—his first visit as PM—Luxon’s talks with PM Narendra Modi on March 17 sparked a “major breakthrough,” as he dubbed it, with impacts rippling from Wellington to Mumbai. For NZ Bharat readers, it’s a historic pivot blending Kiwi pragmatism […]
School Lunches in New Zealand: History, Challenges, and Recent News
As of March 5, 2025, 9:52 AM NZDT, New Zealand’s school lunch programme—Ka Ora, Ka Ako—stands at a crossroads, dominating headlines with a mix of policy debates, logistical mishaps, and community outcry. Prime Minister Christopher Luxon’s quip on March 4, urging dissatisfied parents to “make a Marmite sandwich and put an apple in a bag” (RNZ News, March 4), has ignited tensions amid reports of melted plastic in meals and inedible offerings, per RNZ’s March 4 update. For New Zealand’s 240,000-strong Indian diaspora (Stats NZ 2024), contributing $5 billion economically (NZIER 2024), this programme intersects with Bharat’s (India’s) $2 billion […]
Cabinet Shakeup: Luxon Realigns Ministerial Responsibilities
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has undertaken a significant restructuring within his government, announcing the removal of two ministers from key portfolios and reshuffling their responsibilities. Ministers Melissa Lee and Penny Simmonds have had their roles in Media and Communications, and Disability Issues, respectively, reassigned. Notably, Lee has been demoted from Cabinet, while Simmonds, already serving as a minister outside Cabinet, underwent a portfolio change. The decision to overhaul the ministerial lineup comes amidst mounting pressure on both Lee and Simmonds. Lee faced scrutiny following the closure announcement of Newshub, while Simmonds drew controversy over her handling of disability allowance reforms. […]
Luxon’s Diplomatic Dance and Domestic Dilemmas: Navigating Criticism and Cuts
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has taken the unusual step of rebuking his Cabinet colleagues, David Seymour and Shane Jones, for their recent criticisms of the Waitangi Tribunal, labeling their comments as “ill-considered.” Luxon, speaking from the Philippines during the final leg of his Southeast Asian tour, expressed his disapproval of Seymour and Jones’ remarks and indicated that he would address the matter directly with them upon his return. Seymour, leader of the ACT Party, had lambasted the Tribunal following its summons of Karen Chhour, one of his MPs, for her refusal to provide evidence in an inquiry related to the […]
Christopher Luxon’s Leadership Perception: A Snapshot
Christopher Luxon, the leader of the National Party, transitioned from the corporate world to the political arena, ultimately securing the position of Prime Minister. Let’s explore how people perceive his leadership based on recent polls and surveys. The Rise of Christopher Luxon Background and Journey: Born in Christchurch in 1970, Luxon attended schools in both Christchurch and Auckland. He completed his master’s in commerce (business administration) at the University of Canterbury. Luxon’s career trajectory shifted dramatically when he resigned from his prominent role as the CEO of Air New Zealand in July 2019 to enter politics. He won the safe […]
Christopher Luxon’s Singapore Visit: Strengthening Bilateral Ties
Photo Courtesy: Facebook Christopher Luxon, the Prime Minister of New Zealand, recently embarked on an official visit to Singapore from April 14 to April 16, 2024. His visit reaffirms the excellent and longstanding relations between Singapore and New Zealand, underpinned by the Enhanced Partnership established in 20191. Key Highlights of Luxon’s Singapore Visit 1. Elevating the Enhanced Partnership During his visit, Luxon met with Singapore’s Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong. The two leaders announced a further elevation of the Enhanced Partnership between the two countries. This partnership encompasses various aspects, including defense cooperation, trade, and security2. 2. Joint Defense Cooperation Luxon talked up the prospects of […]