Marlborough turns out for National leader Christopher Luxon

Leader of the opposition Christopher Luxon introduced himself to Marlborough at two packed out meetings on Thursday.

The Christchurch-born politician laid out his plans for the nation and lambasted Labour on their handling of the Omicron variant of Covid-19 and their “huge amount of PR and spin”.

“Hope is not a strategy,” he told a sold-out business breakfast organised by Marlborough’s Chamber of Commerce.

“I want to get things done.”

More than 100 of Marlborough’s business leaders shared breakfast at the Clubs of Marlborough’s Taylor Room, as Luxon gave a brief background of his life and his vision for the future of New Zealand.

He repeated his speech at a public meeting at the Marlborough Convention Centre for another packed-out audience – but the big difference came when he opened questions to the audience.

About 300 people filled the public meeting, and with 200 seats many took to sitting or standing around the periphery.

The opposition leader says he believes in limited government and opposed the current incarnation of the three-waters reform. And while he did say something needed to be done about water, he didn’t elaborate.

“Water is being well managed,” he told the crowd. “[Three waters] will have you paying for water in Wellington.”

He also held up the merger of polytechnics under a nationalised institute as an example of government overreach.

Luxon says he is extremely worried about the education system, claiming a record high number of truants and poor outcomes in math, reading and science.

“I don’t think the education system is setting us up for success,” he says.

Questions levelled at the National leader at the Chamber of Commerce breakfast included consenting headaches and worries around staffing for the upcoming vintage.

RMA reform and raising wages by driving a productive economy were his solutions.

The public meeting questions took a stranger tack, with Luxon fielding questions on United Nations fears, paid-for main stream media and a state of emergency delaying the next election.

Chris Pigou stood up and made a statement on behalf of the “silent majority”.

“There’s a huge amount of anger amongst the … silent majority of New Zealanders with all the separatism and division that this Labour government is causing,” he said.

“Will you come and say this country is for all New Zealanders irrespective of race, policies will be based on need and get rid of all this antagonism and anger out there.

“If you do come out and make a statement like that, we’ll see you as the next prime minister in a couple years’ time.”

His statement was met with a round of applause.

Luxon replied he wanted to achieve for all New Zealanders.

“We want to be an inclusive New Zealand and we want to achieve for all New Zealanders.

“Our country has proud bicultural traditions. We’re a modern multicultural country looking forward in the world as well.”

Following the meeting, attendees spoken to by the Marlborough App had nothing but praise for the National leader.

Diane Bopp says she thought he spoke very well.

“I was very impressed with his style of speech and confidence. I was impressed he didn’t rubbish the current government but gave other options.”

Walter Scott says he came across well.

“He answered the questions well. Touched on topics people were concerned about. I expected some heckling, but there wasn’t any.

“I think it shows some satisfaction with what National are planning to do,” says Walter.

Dennis Humphreys says the heart of our nation is damaged.

“I think it’s an indication most New Zealanders have had enough. It’s time for a change in who is running the country.”

Luxon was invited to Blenheim by the Marlborough Chamber of Commerce, and travelled to Nelson for another public meeting following the event.