Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has dismissed his low ranking among major business leaders and stated that he is not concerned about the talk surrounding his leadership.
The New Zealand Herald’s most recent Mood of the Boardroom survey ranked the Prime Minister 15th among Cabinet members. Finance Minister Nicola Willis was also positioned outside the top 10, coming in 13th in the rankings.
Prime Minister Luxon received an average rating of 2.96 out of 5, where a score of one represents “not impressive” and five indicates “very impressive.”
Willis received an average performance score of 3.09 out of 5.
“It’s been a very challenging time for New Zealand. There are a number of businesses that are doing well and others that are struggling. I fully understand everyone wants it to happen quicker and faster,” Luxon said when asked about the survey results.
Luxon said the coalition is concentrating on fostering growth by investing in education, science, and technology, as well as eliminating bureaucratic obstacles.
“But then it’s up to the businesses to go out and actually create that growth as well. Look, I fully understand we’re going through a very difficult recovery, and there’ll be a range of opinions across all of our society around,” he added.
Herald head of business Fran O’Sullivan described the survey results on the Prime Minister’s performance as mixed.
“The big issue is I think he probably needs to listen more; he’s got a mantra that has started to grate, and he knows that.”
“But those people who have travelled with him internationally do rate him; they see him as focused and driven and really acting in New Zealand’s best interests,” O’Sullivan said.
“He rates very highly also when it comes to ensuring his Cabinet ministers are focused and delivering; he actually rates reasonably well on keeping a coalition together.”
O’Sullivan pointed out that Luxon received low marks for fostering business confidence, his political performance, and his efforts to transform the economy.
Luxon, who previously served as the chief executive of Air New Zealand, faced criticism from his former industry peers in the survey.
The Herald reported that there were “frequent comments” describing the Prime Minister as a poor listener who struggled with accepting constructive feedback. When Luxon was confronted with this, he responded that his focus was broader than just the 150 respondents to the survey.
“I have a lot of engagements with business leaders. I’ve obviously come from – as a CEO of a corporate background. I try and listen to those views as best as I possibly can.”
“But my job as Prime Minister of New Zealand is to create the conditions for growth and to actually think about the five million people that are in this country, not just the 150 that are filling in the survey.”
Luxon said he had no intention of stepping down when asked and expressed confidence that he still had the support of the business community.
“I’m here to do a job,” he said.
“I came to politics four years ago because this is an awesome country. It’s got fantastic potential, and we’re damn well going to go make it and get realised.”