New Zealand PM Christopher Luxon Defends Air Force Flight Use and Apologises to Business Community

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon flew from Whanganui to Auckland on a New Zealand Defence Force King Air aircraft after attending a National Party fundraising dinner, saying no commercial flights were available and he needed to attend an early meeting and a funeral. Labour leader Chris Hipkins criticised the trip as a “personal taxi service” for a political campaign, arguing that defence assets must remain politically neutral.

Later, Luxon addressed a Rotorua business audience, apologising for remarks that had described Kiwi businesses as having a “parent‑child mentality” and being overly negative about the economy. He said, “I am sorry if my comments did not properly acknowledge the challenges that many small business owners are facing,” and was supported by Finance Minister Nicola Willis. The episode has drawn scrutiny over the prime minister’s use of military resources and his relationship with the business sector.