WELLINGTON, New Zealand -- Christopher Luxon, New Zealand's newly appointed prime minister, unveiled an ambitious agenda on Wednesday for his first 100 days in office. Luxon outlined a series of actions his conservative government plans to take, including banning cellphone use in schools and repealing tobacco controls.

Luxon's agenda consists of 49 specific measures aimed at improving the economy and addressing public concerns. The first new law he intends to pass will be a narrowed focus for the central bank, with the mandate solely on maintaining inflation levels. This move will alter the Reserve Bank's current dual focus on low inflation and high employment.

The ban on cellphone use in schools has sparked debate among the public. Some argue that it is necessary to refocus students' attention on their studies, while others believe it limits educational opportunities and freedom of communication. Luxon's government believes that this measure will help schools return to their primary mission of education.

Another controversial plan is the repeal of tobacco restrictions that were approved by the previous government last year. These restrictions aimed to reduce smoking rates by implementing low nicotine levels in cigarettes, reducing tobacco retailers, and imposing a lifetime ban on tobacco sales to youth. However, Luxon's government argues that lifting these restrictions will generate more tax revenue without compromising health goals.

"We are sticking with the status quo," Luxon confirmed. "We are going to continue to drive smoking rates down across New Zealand under our government."

Critics worry that the repeal of these tobacco controls will have a negative impact on public health and benefit the tobacco industry. However, Luxon maintains that his government's main objective is to improve the nation's economy while also prioritizing public health.

In addition to these measures, Luxon's agenda includes two key education initiatives. One mandates that schools dedicate an hour each day to reading, writing, and math instruction, aiming to reinforce core educational skills. The other initiative aims to ban cellphone use in schools to combat distraction and encourage face-to-face interaction among students.

Furthermore, the government's plans to disband the Māori Health Authority have attracted criticism from Indigenous groups. While Luxon's government insists that these measures promote equality among citizens, critics argue that they are discriminatory towards the Indigenous population.

As Luxon begins his term as prime minister, his government faces both support and opposition for the proposed action plan. The next three months will be crucial in determining the success and impact of these measures on New Zealand's economy, education system, and public health.