Jacinda Ardern won't fire Christopher Luxon as business adviser despite his National leanings

Christopher Luxon is the chair of Jacinda Ardern's business advisory council, and Ardern said today she was happy for him to remain there. Photos / Mark Mitchell / Supplied

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern is happy to keep outgoing Air NZ boss Christopher Luxon as a business adviser despite Luxon hinting at a future in politics with the National Party.

Luxon announced his resignation last night, and told Newstalk ZB this morning that he would decide on his future while sitting on a beach over summer.

"Politics is something I am interested in," Luxon said this morning.

Asked whether that would be with the National Party, he said: "Yes, I think it probably would be."

Luxon is the chair of Ardern's business advisory council, and Ardern said today she was happy for him to remain there until he stepped down from Air NZ in late September.

"I think it's appropriate he stays in the business advisory council role for that period ... Once he departs, we'll find a replacement at that time."

She had no concerns about whether Luxon might run for the National Party in the future.

"Obviously he has a role still to fulfill at Air NZ and I imagine his mind will rightly be on that through to September."

She said Luxon called her yesterday to give her notice about the announcement of his resignation, but they mainly discussed the advisory council.

Luxon, who has been at Air NZ for seven years, hinted at a move into politics in the statement he released last night.

"I would like to think more about how I can best use my skills, abilities and experience to make a further contribution to the success of New Zealand whether that be through corporate life, politics or a not for profit," Luxon said.

This morning he said he had "compartmentalised" the decision and was focused on finishing his time at Air New Zealand before looking to the future.

He said he was not "John Key 2.0", but said on the AM Show that the former Prime Minister and Air NZ board member had encouraged him to stand for National.

"We've talked about it obviously, at some sort of level. He's an encouraging sort of guy - I mean, I know him pretty well.

"He's encouraging of any good people that want to get into politics. It's just a conversation we've had over the years."

Luxon said it was not an issue to indicate support for National while serving on the business advisory council.