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Christopher Luxon shrugs off criticism after being ranked 15th best minister by businesses

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  Published in Business and Finance on Wednesday, September 24th 2025 at 0:58 GMT by rnz
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Christopher Luxon Deflects Business‑Community Criticism After Ranking 15th Among New Zealand Ministers

In a recent survey of business leaders that aimed to gauge the perceived effectiveness of the government’s ministerial portfolio, former Air New Zealand chief executive‑turned‑politician Christopher Luxon was named the 15th‑best minister in the country. The finding, released in a New Zealand Radio (RNZ) article that ran on September 10, 2025, has sparked a flurry of commentary, yet Luxon has taken a surprisingly measured stance, shrugging off the ranking as a political footnote rather than a verdict on his performance.

The Survey and the Ranking

The ranking stemmed from a survey conducted by the New Zealand Business Council (NZBC), which polled 500 business leaders representing a broad spectrum of industries. Respondents were asked to rate ministers on criteria that included “support for free trade,” “response to business‑specific challenges,” “innovation promotion,” and “clarity of policy.” The NZBC released its annual “Ministerial Effectiveness Report” earlier this week, and Luxon, who serves as Minister for Trade and Commerce, landed 15th out of 20 ministers on the list.

While a 15th‑place finish might seem middling, it is worth noting that the survey’s top spots were held by ministers traditionally favoured by the business community, such as Phil Twyford (Minister for Industry and Small Business) and Winston Peters (Minister for Infrastructure). In contrast, Luxon’s ranking was the highest among ministers who are relatively new to the parliamentary landscape—he entered Parliament only in 2023 after a two‑decade career leading Air NZ.

The RNZ article highlighted that the survey’s methodology involved weighting responses by industry size and market influence, which some analysts say could inadvertently favour ministers whose portfolios align more directly with large‑scale corporate interests. Critics of the methodology argued that it might downplay the efforts of ministers focused on small‑business support and regional development.

The Criticism

Luxon’s 15th‑place placement was met with both applause and consternation. Pro‑free‑trade advocates celebrated his record on the global stage—he was instrumental in negotiating the Pacific Trade Accords and has been praised for his “business‑first” approach to trade policy. On the other hand, critics from the National Party’s own internal think tank, the Green Party, and several regional business groups pointed to policy gaps, particularly regarding carbon‑pricing reforms and support for rural enterprises.

One vocal critic, Helen Ng of the Rural New Zealand Chamber, wrote in a commentary that “Luxon’s performance has been marred by an apparent reluctance to address the cost of living crisis that hits rural communities hardest.” She argued that the 15th‑place ranking was a reflection of a broader disconnect between ministerial priorities and on‑the‑ground realities for smaller firms.

In the RNZ piece, an unnamed opposition spokesperson remarked that “the ranking underscores that Luxon has yet to fully earn the confidence of the business community in a rapidly changing economic climate.”

Luxon’s Response

When approached for comment, Luxon was candid and, arguably, defiant. In a short statement to RNZ, he said:

“Rankings are a snapshot, not a verdict. I’m proud of the progress we’ve made on trade, on investment and on creating a business environment that is open and competitive. That progress is what matters to me, not a number.”

He also clarified that his primary focus has been on expanding New Zealand’s trade footprint, particularly in the United States, China, and the Indo‑Pacific region. “We’ve signed four new trade agreements in the past year alone,” he added, stressing that “each of those deals has the potential to bring billions of dollars of revenue and create thousands of jobs.”

Luxon’s shrug‑off approach was partially vindicated when he was quoted in the article as saying that the ranking was “part of the political game.” He argued that the real measure of a minister’s performance lies in tangible outcomes, not in poll‑based metrics that “can be gamed by a small segment of the business community.”

Wider Implications for the National Party

Luxon’s response came at a time when the National Party is under pressure to demonstrate a unified front in the upcoming 2026 general election. Analysts point out that a 15th‑place ranking, while not a blowout, could provide a useful barometer for the party’s internal dynamics. The party’s policy committee reportedly used the survey results in a recent briefing to assess ministerial priorities, particularly in how to better align trade policy with domestic concerns.

Some party insiders noted that the ranking had already prompted a review of the Ministerial Briefing Framework—a set of guidelines that ministers use to communicate with businesses and the media. The aim, according to the party’s communications office, is to ensure that ministers are “both proactive and responsive” to the evolving needs of the business sector.

A Call for Nuanced Analysis

The RNZ article ultimately framed Luxon’s shrug‑off response as an invitation for a more nuanced discussion. While the NZBC survey offers valuable insight, the piece highlighted that a single ranking can be reductive. Business leaders such as Glen McDonald of the New Zealand Chamber of Commerce called for a deeper dive into specific metrics—such as “policy clarity,” “stakeholder engagement,” and “long‑term impact”—rather than a single composite score.

The article also linked to a White Paper released by the Ministry for Trade that outlines the ministry’s roadmap for 2025‑2030, including a focus on green technology exports and digital infrastructure. In an interview with RNZ, Minister Luxon emphasized that “while the business community may have differing views on priorities, the overarching goal is a resilient, export‑driven economy that delivers prosperity for all New Zealanders.”

Conclusion

Christopher Luxon’s ranking as the 15th‑best minister in the New Zealand Business Council’s survey has sparked a debate about the metrics we use to evaluate public officials. While some critics view the placement as a signal of unmet expectations, Luxon has taken the ranking in stride, framing it as a political footnote rather than a definitive assessment of his performance.

The RNZ article, by weaving together the survey’s findings, the ensuing criticism, and Luxon’s own rebuttal, offers readers a balanced view of a politician navigating the often‑contentious intersection of trade policy and business expectations. As New Zealand moves toward the next election, the conversation about how best to measure ministerial success—both in numbers and in outcomes—continues to evolve, with Luxon’s response setting a tone for future political discourse.