Hon John Luxton

• Minister of Maori Affairs
• Minister of Police
• Minister of Commerce
• Minister for Industry
• MP, Matamata

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John Luxton is a successful businessman who brings many years of commercial experience to his role as a Cabinet Minister.

Born in Morrinsville, New Zealand in 1946, and educated in New Zealand, Mr Luxton graduated from Massey University with a Bachelor and Post-Graduate Diploma in Agricultural Science.

He was the Chairman of the Tatua Dairy Company and Deputy Chairman of Wallford Meats Ltd both of which are in the top 200 New Zealand companies.

Before entering politics in 1987 as the MP for Matamata, Mr Luxton used his Agricultural tertiary background as a successful farmer and international agricultural consultant.

He was promoted to Cabinet Minister in only his second Parliamentary term in 1990 holding the Energy and Housing portfolios with Associate Education responsibility for early childhood education and school property.

With the 1993 re-election of the National Government, Mr Luxton became Minister of Maori Affairs and Police whilst continuing as Associate Education responsible for early childhood education and Maori education.

The 1996 Cabinet re-shuffle extended Mr Luxton's Ministerial responsibilities to the Commerce and Industry portfolios both of which he has held an on-going interest in.

More recently Mr Luxton has participated in the Advanced Management Programme held by Templeton College, Oxford which placed emphasis on the dynamic and exciting progressive changes occurring in the global economy.

The Commerce portfolio brings Mr Luxton back to the business sector which is flourishing and very competitive internationally as a result of the Government's economic policies. Mr Luxton continues to encourage the role the commercial sector has in New Zealand's economic growth and ultimately, in sustaining, and in the long-term, raising the standard of living for New Zealanders.

Supporting and advocating policy issues on behalf of industry sectors is considered to be an important role of Mr Luxton's. He considers that our wider New Zealand society needs to have greater emphasis placed on the importance of commerce and industry to our country's economic and social well-being. Mr Luxton has at first hand, the chance to see the many positive and successful business initiatives which are emerging within New Zealand.

In the Police portfolio, the investment of $100 million of taxpayers funds in a new Integrated National Crime Information System (INCIS) has been a major new initiative supported by Mr Luxton. It will help Police use the latest technology to more effectively deal with crime and road safety. The new system will free up Police from paperwork and administration and enable them to be out in the community helping New Zealanders make their communities safe. With the implementation of the Police five year strategic plan, New Zealanders have seen crime levels contained and the road toll reduce significantly since 1993.

As Minister of Maori Affairs, promoting self-sufficiency, involvement and raising the achievement levels of Maori in society have been part of the wider Government strategy. Mr Luxton considers the settlement of Treaty of Waitangi grievances an essential aspect to help Maori gain equality with the rest of New Zealand society. Retaining and promoting Maori culture and language are also important to the overall well-being of Maori. The 1995 Celebration of the Year of Maori Language - He Taonga Te Reo was a key highlight which encouraged community understanding of, and participation with Maori. Mr Luxton believes it is important to maintain the momentum of new Maori business development by encouraging the positive and successful initiatives developed by Maori across the New Zealand commercial sector.