Christopher Luxon apologises for remarks about small businesses

Monday 3 August 2026 · 3 outlets · 5 reports · updated Mon 3 Aug, 3:54pm

In this story Christopher Luxon

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has apologised after telling business owners at a Rotorua event to act like adults and avoid a parent-child mentality. He admitted he got it wrong after being accused of being patronising when responding to concerns about business survival. The Prime Minister said he was disappointed by how his comments were reported.

How they headlined it

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1. NZ HeraldMon 3 Aug, 8:08am

   PM Christopher Luxon speaks to Mike Hosking after saying businesses have ‘parent-child’ mentality (opens in new tab)

   • Prime Minister Christopher Luxon apologises for ‘negative’ remarks about small businesses (opens in new tab) Mon 3 Aug, 3:10pm
2. StuffMon 3 Aug, 8:20am

   Luxon explains his call for businesses to ‘be adult, adult, adult’ (opens in new tab)

   • ‘Parent-child’ lecture from PM ‘didn’t land well’, says Rotorua Business Chamber president (opens in new tab) Mon 3 Aug, 3:07pm
3. 1NewsMon 3 Aug, 3:54pm

   'I got that wrong': Luxon apologises for remarks about small businesses (opens in new tab)