“It is a tremendous privilege to lead our great party, and I thank my colleagues for the confidence they have placed in me,” Luxon said in a statement.
“I’m delighted the Caucus has elected Nicola Willis as deputy leader. She will do an incredible job and we will be a formidable team.
“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.
“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.
“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 underperforming companies and I’ll bring that real-world experience to this role.
“We are the new National Party that New Zealand needs.”
The former Air New Zealand chief executive was elected uncontested after Simon Bridges withdrew from the leadership contest not long before MPs attended a caucus meeting.
Luxon is a first-term MP, and is the first leader of a major party to be elected so soon after his entrance to parliament, having been elected just over a year ago.
Bridges expressed his support for Luxon when he tweeted that he would be withdrawing from the leadership contest.
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.
— Simon Bridges (@simonjbridges) November 30, 2021
It follows Judith Collins being ousted as leader of the National Party, after she stripped Bridges of his portfolios due to lewd comments he made in front of MP Jacqui Dean in 2017.
Sharing the news on Twitter, Collins said “I am pleased to say that I am just the MP for Papakura again.
“It’s been a privilege to take over the leadership of @NZNationalParty during the worst of times and to do so for 16 months. It has taken huge stamina and resolve, and has been particularly difficult because of a variety of factors.
She continued: “I knew when I was confided in by a female colleague regarding her allegation of serious misconduct against a senior colleague, that I would likely lose the leadership by taking the matter so seriously. If I hadn’t, then I felt that I wouldn’t deserve the role.
“I didn’t ask for the allegation to be given to me. I am proud of the support I received from Dr Shane Reti, a man of principle, and I will continue to advocate, not only for Papakura, but for those who have no voice.”
