Fraser Whineray to replace Christopher Luxon as Business Advisory Council chairman

Thursday, 19 September 2019

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern appointed Air New Zealand boss Christopher Luxon as the first chairman of the Business Advisory Council.

Fraser Whineray, the chief executive of state-owned energy company Mercury has been appointed as the new chairman of the Government's Business Advisory Council.

Whineray, who was appointed by Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, will replace outgoing chairman, Air New Zealand chief executive Christopher Luxon.

The council was formed by the Government last year to help strengthen its relationship with business, and to provide advice on policies directly affecting business.

The council's initial areas of focus included skills, investment, infrastructure, sustainability and regional development.

* Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announces plan to increase skills and trade training

Fraser Whineray is the newly appointed chairman of the Business Advisory Council.

* New Zealand has 'productivity disease', says Business Council chair, Air NZ CEO Chris** Luxon

Luxon progressed work on venture capital and upskilling workers with greater training hours through the Aotearoa New Zealand Skills Pledge.

The pledge was launched in May to help business prepare for the rapidly changing future of work, which would include greater automation.

Christopher Luxon steps down as Air New Zealand chief executive this month.

It commits signatories to doubling investment in re-skilling and training hours by 2025 and to report on progress yearly.

Ardern said Whineray, who is an existing council member, would chair the council until March, when it would be paused in the lead up to the general election.

Whineray said he valued the chance to contribute to the country's future.

But the Tax Payers Union questioned why the head of a second Crown-owned business had been appointed to head the council, saying it was an 'exercise in spin'.

The lobby group said Luxon and Whineray were experienced businessmen 'but how can someone who runs an organisation ultimately owned by the Crown effectively politically advocate without fear or favour?'

Other members of the council include Rocket Lab chief executive Peter Beck, Xero chief product officer Anna Curzon and McKinsey & Company partner Andrew Grant.

The next meeting of the council is in December.