Luxon doesn't understand NZ small businesses are forced to worry about the Government

PremiumOpinionOpinion bySimon BridgesNZ Herald·6 Aug, 2026 05:00 PM6 mins to readSimon Bridges is the chief executive of the Auckland Business Chamber and was the leader of the National Party from 2018 to 2020. He has also served as the Minister for Transport, Economic Development and Communications. He has also worked as a senior Crown prosecutor in the Tauranga District and High Courts.‌Prime Minister Christopher Luxon apologised after the comments on small businesses he made at the Rotorua Business Chamber. Photo / Sylvie WhinrayChristopher Luxon’s remarks last week to Rotorua Business Chamber chief executive Melanie Short have got a lot of attention. In a long response detailing his own philosophy as a former CEO, the Prime Minister said “there’s a parent-child mentality” between Kiwi businesses and the Government, unlike those offshore.

This habit