Former Air NZ chief and MP for Botany Christopher Luxon has become the National Party's new leader, and Nicola Willis the deputy after MPs voted this afternoon.

The caucus was catapulted into chaos last week after then-leader Judith Collins tried to demote Simon Bridges - and National MPs then voted Collins out.

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Luxon says it is an "incredible privilege and honour to be elected leader of the National Party".

He says he and Nicola Willis who has been elected his deputy will "be a formidable team".

"We are the reset."

Luxon thanked Judith Collins for her service during "a very difficult period" for the party, and said today they are putting the events of the past four years behind them.

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"I don't want to really talk about what's happened in our past, what I can tell yo is the bottom line is we have an uncontested leadership selection and we've come together as a team.

"New Zealand is over it, the National Party members are over it, and the caucus is over it. So we want to turn the page and go forward together."

He also thanked Willis for joining him in the leadership team, his wife and children for their support, and to his caucus colleagues.

He says to the 400,000 odd voters who moved away from the party that "National is back".

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New Zealand is at a critical crossroads as it grapples with the pandemic, he says.

"New Zealand needs an alternative now more than ever to take us in the right direction because frankly, the country is heading the wrong way."

He says the government is very good at delivering PR "but woeful at delivering much else".

He commented on how because of the government's policies there will be a million Kiwis missing a Christmas dinner this year because they cannot get home, and that farmers are not villains.

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"Over 100 days in lockdown, Aucklanders are still utterly confused and directionless.

"Nice ideas and good intentions don't pay the rent or the mortgage, educate our children, keep us healthy, keep us safe from crime and gangs, improve our mental health, lower our emissions or keep us united."

He says growing our economy and raising productivity are the single biggest thing we can do to improve the lives of New Zealanders.

"And the National Government I will lead will be a government of action.

"We will bring the tide back in and lift all boats.

"We need to seize the tremendous opportunities we have, rather than squander them."

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What happened today

Just before a caucus meeting this afternoon where the party was set to vote on the leader, his main rival and former party leader Simon Bridges tweeted his support for Luxon.

Covid-19 Response spokesperson Chris Bishop, who had been raised as a possibility in initial speculation about the leadership, also backed Luxon.

Just half an hour into the 3pm caucus meeting, the National Party revealed through a statement that Luxon had become the new leader and Willis the deputy.

More to come.

Republished by Arrangement