Watch: An Address by Prime Minister of New Zealand, Christopher Luxon

Special Address: Rt Hon Christopher Luxon, Prime Minister of New Zealand

In this special Lowy Institute address, New Zealand Prime Minister the Rt Hon Christopher Luxon outlined his government's foreign policy vision at a moment of significant strategic change for the Pacific and the broader Indo-Pacific region.

Since coming to power in October 2023, Prime Minister Luxon has made foreign, defence, and trade policy central priorities — re-engaging and reinvigorating New Zealand's relationships with traditional and like-minded partners at a time when the rules-based international order faces mounting pressure.

Drawing on his experience as both a business leader and head of government, Luxon offered a candid assessment of New Zealand's strategic circumstances, its key alliances and partnerships, and the role it seeks to play in shaping a stable and prosperous region.

About the speaker

The Rt Hon Christopher Luxon is the 42nd Prime Minister of New Zealand, and also serves as Minister for National Security and Intelligence and Minister Responsible for Ministerial Services. He entered Parliament at the 2020 election as the MP for Botany and was elected Leader of the National Party in November 2021. Prior to politics, he enjoyed a distinguished private sector career, serving as Chief Executive Officer of Air New Zealand from 2013 to 2019, and holding senior roles at Unilever across New Zealand, Australia, the United Kingdom, the United States, and Canada.