Luxon Accused of Being Out of Touch with Business Community

New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has been accused of being 'out of touch' and giving business owners a 'patronising lecture' after he described some businesses as having a 'parent-child mentality', always looking to the government for help. However, ACT party leader David Seymour defended Luxon's comments, saying they were 'valid' in some cases.

Luxon made the comments during a breakfast chat with the Rotorua Business Chamber, where he said that since returning to New Zealand, he has noticed a 'parent-child mentality' among businesses. He claimed that many business owners are too focused on what the government will do, rather than taking responsibility for their own success.

Seymour agreed with Luxon's assessment, saying that there are some businesses that rely too heavily on government support. However, he also acknowledged that many businesses are struggling due to factors beyond their control, such as high inflation rates and government borrowing.