\u201cWe had to do a big pivot, but it was actually a really cool chance to show the family where I work because they hadn\u2019t been to Parliament,\u201d he says. \u201cWe walked there and back, and I had my key card so I showed them my office and the debating chamber.<\/p>\n
\u201cBy the time we got back, everyone was hungry, the turkey was ready and it all turned out okay.\u201d<\/p>\n
It\u2019s a hot Sunday afternoon when the Weekly joins the Luxons at home in Auckland for our annual Christmas photoshoot. The tree is up, the matching PJs have been bought and happily, William, 26, who lives at home, and Melbourne-based Olivia, 24, have joined their parents to celebrate. <\/p>\n
The PM jokes that it\u2019s this photoshoot that signifies the start of the festive season for him. \u201cThere\u2019s a mark in the diary and that means it\u2019s all go from here.\u201d <\/p>\n
But this is also a rare chance for the tight-knit four to have an afternoon together and it\u2019s clear they\u2019re relishing the chance to catch up. <\/p>\n
Amanda is planning a marinated side of salmon alongside fresh, summery salads for Christmas. Photo \/ Amalia Osborne<\/p>\n
Life these days is about grabbing family moments when they arise, says Christopher, who has barely had a break since he got the top job two years ago. That might mean a walk at the weekend with Amanda, watching 15 minutes of a Netflix show together between calls or a quick FaceTime chat with William and Olivia each day. <\/p>\n
But come Christmas, Christopher, 55, will down tools, and finally have time to rest and recharge. And this year, the Luxons are keeping things simple. Instead of a full traditional spread, they\u2019re trading the turkey and trimmings for a casual summer picnic on Christmas Eve with Amanda\u2019s family. <\/p>\n
The menu will be relaxed, with Amanda, 57, planning a marinated side of salmon alongside fresh, summery salads. \u201cThe main thing is it will be easy!\u201d she laughs.<\/p>\n
On Christmas morning, the Luxons will have a family lunch with Christopher\u2019s family. The great news, he says, is his brother Karl is a chef. \u201cHis food is always fantastic.\u201d<\/p>\n
When it comes to giving and receiving, Christopher says the only thing on his wishlist is quality time with wh\u0101nau.<\/p>\n
The Luxons will head away for a week or so of sunshine, family time and much-needed rest after Christmas. Photo \/ Amalia Osborne<\/p>\n
\u201cThere really is nothing I want because, for me, the real present is getting time with the family and being able to talk to them for longer than 15 minutes,\u201d he says. \u201cI\u2019m looking forward to catching up with everyone in a really relaxed way \u2013 just sitting around a table and having a chat. It\u2019s that change of energy I\u2019m looking forward to, actually.\u201d<\/p>\n
After Christmas, the Luxons will head away for a week or so of sunshine, family time and much-needed rest. There will still be papers to read and work to keep an eye on, but the pace will be slower. He\u2019s looking forward to trading suits and ties for shorts and T-shirts, and can\u2019t wait to get the boat out on the water for the first time since last summer. He\u2019s hopeful he\u2019ll reel in a decent snapper to cook on the barbecue. <\/p>\n
\u201cIf not, it\u2019ll be chicken and sausages!\u201d he laughs.<\/p>\n
He says the holiday period is a good time to take stock of the year that\u2019s been and start thinking ahead to 2026. He acknowledges it\u2019s been a tough time for many Kiwis with the cost of living continuing to rise and many households under intense financial strain. But he says the Government is working hard to relieve the pressure.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s been a challenging year for people in many parts of the country,\u201d he says. \u201cBut we\u2019re doing all the right things to put New Zealand on a pathway to realise its potential in the coming years. And the signs are there \u2013 we\u2019re seeing every week and every month there is positivity happening with new jobs being created, new projects being started, and that creates opportunity for people.\u201d<\/p>\n
While most of Christopher\u2019s focus has been on running the country, the Luxons have faced a few unexpected twists of their own this year. In July, Amanda spent five days in hospital with sepsis, an ordeal that the couple hasn\u2019t spoken about publicly until now.<\/p>\n
Christopher Luxon credits Amanda as being the rock of the family. Photo \/ Amalia Osborne<\/p>\n
\u201cIt started with a little prickle in my finger,\u201d recalls Amanda. \u201cIt just got worse and worse, and eventually the doctors had to go in and open it up twice to clear the infection. I ended up staying in hospital for intravenous antibiotics for five days.\u201d<\/p>\n
Holding up her finger \u2013 still slightly red and swollen \u2013 she downplays the scare, insisting she was never too worried. <\/p>\n
\u201cThe staff at Middlemore Hospital were phenomenal,\u201d she enthuses. \u201cI felt really well cared for and honestly, it was just a finger! I never felt concerned.\u201d<\/p>\n
Fortunately, Christopher was in the country and could be by her side. <\/p>\n
\u201cShe took it all in her stride,\u201d he says proudly. \u201cIt was one of those unexpected things that happen, but she handled it brilliantly and we\u2019ve moved on.\u201d<\/p>\n
On a brighter note, the couple was delighted to see William graduate this year with a Bachelor of Commerce. He\u2019s now working full-time in merchandise planning at retail chain Flo & Frankie, while younger sister Olivia is still living in Melbourne and working for L\u2019Or\u00e9al. <\/p>\n
Christopher is proud of his close relationship with his children, despite the intensity of his job. He and Olivia are music lovers, and stay in touch daily with song recommendations. Olivia even gave her dad a waterproof speaker for the shower last Christmas and both are enjoying Taylor Swift\u2019s new album. \u201cI have Ophelia and Opalite on short rotation,\u201d he says.<\/p>\n
As well as this, every day, Christopher, Amanda and Olivia (and sometimes William, if he\u2019s around) will do online puzzles, Wordle and Connections, together over FaceTime. <\/p>\n
Luxon is proud of his close relationship with his children. Photo \/ Amalia Osborne<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s really important to have the discipline of some routines like this to keep us connected,\u201d says Christopher, who is often away from home. \u201cAmanda and I will talk obviously every day, several times a day, but with the kids, I try to touch base at least once a day as well.\u201d<\/p>\n