One of National's new MPs, Chris Luxon, has addressed his religious beliefs, telling Parliament while he's a Christian, that doesn't mean he holds extreme views.
Photo: RNZ / Dom Thomas
He was the last of the 2020 intake of MPs to deliver their maiden speeches.
Touted as a potential party leader, the former head of Air New Zealand has been keeping a low profile, saying he's concentrating on learning the ropes.
He told Parliament it had become acceptable to stereotype those in public life with Christian beliefs as being extreme.
He said his faith was personal to him and "is not in itself a political agenda".
"I believe no religion should dictate to the state and no politician should use the political platform they have to force their beliefs on others ... as MPs we serve the common cause of all New Zealanders - not one religion, not one group, and not one interest.
"A person should not be elected because of their faith and nor should they be rejected because of it," Luxon told Parliament.
His National colleagues Penny Simmonds and Joseph Mooney also gave their maiden speeches this afternoon.