Chris Hipkins | |
|---|---|
.jpg) Official portrait, 2022 | |
| 41stLeader of the Opposition | |
| Assumed office 27 November 2023 | |
| Prime Minister | Christopher Luxon |
| Deputy | Carmel Sepuloni |
| Preceded by | Christopher Luxon |
| 41st Prime Minister of New Zealand | |
| In office 25 January 2023 – 27 November 2023 | |
| Monarch | Charles III |
| Governor-General | Cindy Kiro |
| Deputy | Carmel Sepuloni |
| Preceded by | Jacinda Ardern |
| Succeeded by | Christopher Luxon |
| 18thLeader of the Labour Party | |
| Assumed office 22 January 2023 | |
| Deputy |
|
| Preceded by | Jacinda Ardern |
| Member of theNew Zealand Parliament forRemutaka Rimutaka (2008–2020) | |
| Assumed office 8 November 2008 | |
| Preceded by | Paul Swain |
| Majority | 8,859 |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Christopher John Hipkins (1978-09-05)5 September 1978 (age 47) Hutt Valley, New Zealand |
| Political party | Labour |
| Spouse | |
| Domestic partner | Toni Grace |
| Children | 2 |
| Residence(s) | Upper Hutt, Wellington, New Zealand |
| Alma mater | Victoria University of Wellington (BA) |
| Nickname | Chippy[1] |
Christopher John Hipkins (born 5 September 1978) is aNew Zealand politician who has served as leader of theNew Zealand Labour Party since January 2023[2][3] andleader of the Opposition since November 2023. He was the 41stprime minister of New Zealand from January to November 2023, previously serving as theminister for the public service andminister for education from 2017 to 2023, and the minister for health and theCOVID-19 response from 2020 to 2022. He has been themember of Parliament (MP) forRemutaka since the2008 general election.
Hipkins was born and raised in theHutt Valley in Wellington, and while atVictoria University of Wellington became heavily involved instudent politics. He was electedpresident ofVUWSA twice, in 2000 and 2001. Hipkins won the pre-selection for the typically safe Labour seat of Remutaka in the Hutt Valley in 2008, but due to the return of theNational Party to governance won it by a thin margin. AfterJacinda Ardern led Labour to victory in the2017 general election, Hipkins assumed multiple portfolios within theSixth Labour Government, serving variously asminister of education,police,the public service, andleader of the House. For his perceived competence within multiple roles and responsibilities, Hipkins became regarded as Labour's "fixer".[4][5]
Asminister of health, Hipkins was responsible for the government'sresponse to theCOVID-19 pandemic in New Zealand. The elimination policy became the primary focus of the2020 election, helping Labour win in alandslide.[6] After the victory, Hipkins took on more responsibility, serving as minister for COVID-19 response from November 2020 to June 2022. On 21 January 2023, Hipkins became the sole candidate to succeed Ardern asleader of the Labour Party after sheannounced her resignation.[7] He became party leader after beingelected unopposed on 22 January 2023, and was consequently appointed prime minister by thegovernor-general on 25 January 2023.[8]His premiership was faced almost immediately with the2023 Auckland Anniversary Weekend floods, and then by further flooding fromCyclone Gabrielle.[9] He led his party into the2023 general election, with Labour losing to National. Subsequently, he becameOpposition leader on 27 November 2023.
Christopher John Hipkins was born in theHutt Valley[10] on 5 September 1978,[11][12] the son of Doug and Rosemary Hipkins.[13] His mother is the chief researcher for theNew Zealand Council for Educational Research.[14]
Hipkins attended Waterloo Primary School in Lower Hutt andHutt Intermediate School.[15] He washead boy at Hutt Valley Memorial College (later known as Petone College) in 1996. He later studied at theVictoria University of Wellington,[11] where he wasstudent president in 2000 and 2001.[16]
In September 1997, as a first-year student at Victoria University, Hipkins was one of dozens arrested while protesting against the Tertiary Review Green Bill at Parliament. The matter went through the courts, and 10 years later an apology and award of over $200,000 was shared among the 41 protesters. The judge ruled that despite claims by police that the protestors were violent, the protest was peaceful and there were no grounds for arrest.[16]
Hipkins received a Bachelor of Arts with a major inpolitical science andcriminology from Victoria University of Wellington.[17] He then worked as a policy advisor for the Industry Training Federation and as a training manager forTodd Energy in Taranaki. Hipkins also worked in Parliament as an advisor toTrevor Mallard andHelen Clark.[18]
| Years | Term | Electorate | List | Party | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008–2011 | 49th | Rimutaka | 47 | Labour | |
| 2011–2014 | 50th | Rimutaka | 30 | Labour | |
| 2014–2017 | 51st | Rimutaka | 9 | Labour | |
| 2017–2020 | 52nd | Rimutaka | 7 | Labour | |
| 2020–2023 | 53rd | Remutaka | 6 | Labour | |
| 2023–present | 54th | Remutaka | 1 | Labour | |
Hipkins was selected to stand in the Labour-held seat of Rimutaka (renamedRemutaka in 2020 following a 2016Treaty of Waitangi settlement)[19] in the2008 general election, following the retirement of the sitting MPPaul Swain. He contested the Labour selection over trade unionist Paul Chalmers, who had Swain's support. His selection was part of Prime MinisterHelen Clark's intention to rejuvenate the party with 29-year-old Hipkins winning against the 54-year-old Chalmers.[20] In his first election, Hipkins won the seat with a modest majority of 753.[21]
For the first nine years of Hipkins's parliamentary career, Labour formed theOfficial Opposition. Hipkins'smaiden speech set out his interest in education policy.[13] In his first term, Hipkins was the Labour spokesperson for internal affairs and a member ofparliamentary committees for government administration, local government and environment, and transport and infrastructure.[22]
In May 2010, his Electricity (Renewable Preference) Amendment Bill was drawn from the member's ballot.[23] The bill would have reinstated a ban on the thermal generation of electricity which had been imposed by theprevious Labour Government in September 2008 before being repealed by theincoming National Government in December 2008,[24] but was defeated at its first reading in June.[23]
During the2011 general election, Hipkins retained theRimutaka electorate by an increased margin of 3,286 votes.[25]
In Hipkins's second term, he was promoted into Labour's shadow Cabinet as spokesperson for state services and education under new leader,David Shearer. He also became theLabour Party's chief whip for the first time.[22] As education spokesperson, Hipkins was outspoken in his opposition to the National Government's implementation ofcharter schools in New Zealand[26] and closure of schools in Christchurch following the destructive2011 earthquake.[27] Hipkins continued as education spokesperson under Shearer's successor,David Cunliffe.[22]
In April 2013, Hipkins voted in favour of theMarriage (Definition of Marriage) Amendment Bill, which legalisedsame-sex marriage in New Zealand.[28]
During the2014 general election, Hipkins retained Rimutaka by a margin of 6,664 votes.[29] In his third term, Hipkins continued as education spokesperson and additionally served asshadow leader of the House under leadersAndrew Little and Ardern.[22]
In late 2015, Hipkins received veiled threats, including a death threat, for voicing his concerns about a billboard advertising "cut-price" guns.[30]
In April 2016, his Education (Charter Schools Abolition) Amendment Bill was drawn from the members' ballot. It was defeated at its first reading in November.[31]
As a senior Labour MP, Hipkins was a key figure in theSixth Labour Government. Between 2017 and 2023, he was the sixth-rankedGovernment minister from the Labour Party and he was assigned responsibilities asminister of education,minister for the public service andleader of the House. He was later looked upon as a "fixer,"[4] and was given additional responsibility asminister of health and minister for COVID-19 response during theCOVID-19 pandemic in New Zealand, and later asminister of police during a spate ofram-raids.[32][33][34]
During the2017 general election, Hipkins retained the Rimutaka electorate by a margin of 8,609 votes.[35]
Hipkins was elected as aCabinet minister by the Labour's formation of acoalition government withNew Zealand First and theGreens.[36] It was later announced that he would serve as minister for education.[37]
As education minister, Hipkins has supported the abolition of National Standards andcharter schools in New Zealand, which were supported by theprevious National Government. He has also signalled a review of theNational Certificate of Educational Achievement (NCEA) high school certificate system. However, Hipkins has clarified that theMinistry of Education would continue to fund theUniversity of Otago's National Monitoring Study of Student Achievement and the Progress and Consistency Tool (PaCT). The Government's announcement that it would close charter schools drew criticism from the oppositionNational andACT parties.[38][39] In early 2018, Hipkins introduced legislation preventing the creation of new charter schools, while enabling existing charter schools to be converted into special character schools.[40] By September 2018, all twelve charter schools had successfully transitioned to becomestate-integrated and special character schools.[41][42]
In December 2018, Hipkins rejected a recommendation by the Council ofVictoria University of Wellington to rename the university "University of Wellington", citing the strong opposition to the name change from staff, students, and alumni. Hipkins said that "he was not convinced the university had sufficiently engaged with stakeholders, who should have their views considered."[43][44]
In February 2019, Hipkins proposed merging the country's 16polytechnics into aNew Zealand Institute of Skills and Technology to counter deficits and declining domestic enrolments. This proposed Institute of Skills and Technology will also take over the country's vocational and apprenticeship programmes. While theTertiary Education Union, Employers and Manufacturers Union, and the Canterbury Employers' Chamber of Commerce have expressed support for the Government's proposal, this has been criticised by the opposition National Party,Southern Institute of Technology CEOPenny Simmonds, andMayor of InvercargillTim Shadbolt.[45][46][47][48] In response to theChristchurch mosque shootings, Hipkins extended the polytechnic submission timeframe to 5 April 2019.[49]
In early May 2019, Hipkins announced that the Government would be investing NZ$95 million to train 2,400 new teacher trainees through increased scholarships and placements, new employment-based teacher education programmes, andiwi-based scholarships over the next four years to address the teaching shortage. These measures were criticised as inadequate by thePost Primary Teachers' Association andNational Party education spokespersonNikki Kaye.[50][51][52]
On 1 August 2019, Hipkins reaffirmed the Government's plan to merge all polytechnics into a single entity in April 2020.[53] In addition, he announced that the Government would replace all 11 industrial training organisations (ITOs) with between four and seven workforce development councils that would be set up by 2022 to influence vocational education and training. While polytechnics have been cautiously optimistic about the changes despite concerns about losing their autonomy, ITOs and National's tertiary education spokespersonShane Reti have opposed these changes, claiming they would damage the vocational training system and cause job losses.[54][55][56] By 2022, the merger began to strike difficulties including low enrolments, large deficits and resignations of senior staff.[57]
Following the resignation ofDavid Clark as minister of health on 2 July 2020, Prime Minister Ardern appointed Hipkins as interim health minister, serving until theOctober 2020 general election.[32][58]
Hipkins retained his seat, now known as Remutaka, during the2020 general election, with a total of 20,497 votes.[59]
In early November 2020, Hipkins retained his education portfolio. He was also designated as minister for COVID-19 response and minister for the Public Service.[33] As Minister of COVID-19 response, Hipkins instituted the wearing of face masks on public transportation and domestic flights in November 2020, pre-departure test requirements for overseas travellers in January 2021, border restrictions for high risk countries in April 2021, and with alert level restrictions in Auckland in August 2021 amidCOVID-19 Delta variant.[60][61][62][63][64] In addition, Hipkins oversaw the launch of the Government's "My Vaccine Pass" vaccine certificate in November 2021, the nationalvaccination rollout, and the passage of theCOVID-19 Response (Vaccinations) Legislation Act 2021, which provided the legal framework for the Government's vaccine mandate.[65][66][67]
On 22 August 2021, Hipkins made a comment that attracted controversy and humour when he misspoke during a press conference; encouraging New Zealanders to get tested for COVID-19, he inadvertently urged New Zealanders to socially distance when they go outside to "spread their legs".[68][69] Commentators suggested that he meant to say, "stretch your legs."[70]
In mid-January 2022, in his capacity as minister for COVID-19 response, Hipkins postponed the nextMIQ lottery due to a tenfold increase in importedOmicron cases entering New Zealand.[71][72] The Government's decision was criticised by Grounded Kiwis member and Australian–based expatriate Maxine Strydom who stated that many New Zealand expatriates were facing emotional and metal stress due to travel restrictions, expiring visas and job losses. Meanwhile, health economist Professor Paula Lorgelly rationalised the postponement of the MIQ lottery as "a short-term pain for what I perceive to be quite a long-term gain."[72]
On 31 January 2022, Hipkins, in his capacity as minister for COVID-19 response, issued a statement that the Government had offered stranded New Zealand journalistCharlotte Bellis a place under the emergency allocation criteria to travel to New Zealand within a period of 14 days. However, he also claimed that Bellis had indicated that she did not intend to travel until late February and that MIQ had advised her to consider moving her travel plans forward. He also confirmed that New Zealand consular assistance had earlier twice offered to help her return from Afghanistan in December 2021. Bellis was anAl Jazeera journalist who, after becoming pregnant, had left Qatar owing to the Gulf state's law criminalising unmarried pregnancies. Bellis had travelled to Afghanistan where she and her partner had visas allowing them to live there. Due to New Zealand's strict pandemic border policies, Bellis had struggled to secure a place in theManaged Isolation and Quarantine (MIQ) system.[73]
Hipkins was criticised by Bellis's lawyer Tudor Clee for allegedly breaching her client's privacy by sharing personal details about her circumstances and indicated that she was considering "legal options." In response, Bellis stated that she did not give Hipkins consent to share her information and disputed the facts in his statement. MPsChris Bishop andDavid Seymour, from National and ACT respectively, also criticised Hipkins's actions, stating that they were "unbecoming" of a minister of the Crown.[74] On 22 June 2022, Hipkins publicly apologised for releasing personal information without Bellis' consent and making inaccurate comments about Bellis travelling to Afghanistan and being offered consular assistance. As a result, Bellis and her partner Jim Huylebroek received online abuse. Hipkins had earlier privately apologised to Bellis in mid-March 2022.[75]
Throughout the spring of 2022, Hipkins, as minister of COVID-19 response, oversaw the easing of several COVID-19 mitigation policies including the isolation requirements for positive cases and contacts, vaccination and vaccine pass requirements for school-age children, MIQisolation hotels, theCOVID-19 Protection Framework, and border isolation requirements.[76][77][78][79][80] In early May 2022, Hipkins acknowledged that the New Zealand Government was spending NZ$10 million a month paying COVID-19 contact tracers despite phasing outcontact tracing several months earlier. He stated that the contact tracers were supporting people with COVID-19 in the community. In response, ACT leader Seymour criticised the Government's decision to continuing funding contact tracing services as a waste of taxpayer money.[81]
In a June 2022 reshuffle, Hipkins was shifted from his COVID-19 response portfolio and replacedPoto Williams asminister of police.[34]
In September 2022, Hipkins apologised to former Finance MinisterBill English for suggesting that he had granted his brothers favourable government contracts. Hipkins had made those remarks during an exchange over the awarding of government contracts to Foreign MinisterNanaia Mahuta's husband Gannin Ormsby.[82][83]
In mid-October 2022, Hipkins, acting on behalf of COVID-19 response minister Verrall, announced that the Government would scrap several of theCOVID-19 Public Health Response Act 2020's provisions including lockdown and MIQ restrictions, border closures, vaccine passes and mandates. The Government however opted to retain the Act's provisions for seven-day isolation periods, mask use and border entry requirements until Parliament passed general pandemic legislation. Hipkins also announced that the Government had revoked the Epidemic Notice, signalling a shift from emergency management to long-term management of COVID-19.[84][85] That same day, Hipkins confirmed that the Government would hold aRoyal Commission of Inquiry into its COVID-19 responses.[86]
 | |
| Premiership of Chris Hipkins 25 January 2023 – 27 November 2023 | |
| Monarch | Charles III |
|---|---|
| Cabinet | Sixth Labour Government |
| Party | Labour |
| Appointed by | Cindy Kiro |
| Seat | The Beehive |
 Coat of Arms of New Zealand | |
On 19 January 2023, Jacinda Ardern unexpectedlyannounced her resignation as leader of the Labour Party in a media conference, stating that she "no longer had enough in the tank" to do the job. She indicated that she would formally step down no later than 7 February 2023.[87][88]
Hipkins wasconfirmed as the only nominee shortly after nominations closed at 9:00 a.m. on 21 January.[7][89]Stuff reported thatKiritapu Allan, the East Coast MP and minister of justice who had been speculated by media as an alternative candidate, was one of the seven MPs who nominated him.[90] Hipkins had previously demurred when asked about his leadership aspirations, stating that he would support whichever candidate theLabour Party could "reach a consensus" on.[91] In a media standup outside Parliament at 1:00 p.m. on 21 January, Hipkins commented that he discovered he had emerged as that consensus candidate as "the door to the plane [that he had boarded for a flight to Wellington] was closing", leaving him unable to respond to his messages for 40 minutes.[92] The formal meeting to confirm Hipkins as leader was scheduled for 1:00 p.m. on 22 January 2023.[88]
Hipkins was sworn in as prime minister by Governor-General DameCindy Kiro on 25 January 2023.[93] His deputy prime minister wasCarmel Sepuloni, the firstPasifika to hold the position.[8] Upon taking office, Hipkins addressed the cost of living, saying that New Zealanders will "absolutely see in the coming weeks and months the cost of living is right at the heart of our work program", and declared it his "absolute priority".[94] He indicated that Labour would postpone some of its new projects until after the election to focus on the economy. Politically, he has been cited as acentrist.[95]
On 26 January, Hipkins met several Auckland business leaders at a roundtable event hosted by theAuckland Business Chamber, led by formerNational MPSimon Bridges. During the meeting, Hipkins affirmed his Government's commitment to pursuing a constructive relationship with businesses, citing their importance to the New Zealand economy. Hipkins also confirmed that business representatives had given the Government feedback on several policy areas including skills shortages. Hipkins also stated that businesses supported the Government's apprenticeship boost, which created opportunities for them.[96] Earlier, several small business owners including Kiwi Kai business owner Reni Gargiulo, Air Milford CEO Hank Sproull, Christchurch pharmacy owner Annabel Turley, Saint Andrews Dairy Dhaval Amin, and Grownup Donuts owner Daniel Black had called on Hipkins's Government to address various issues including staffing shortages, immigration work visa policies, youth crime, and inflation. In addition, Ashburton dairy farmer Nick Gier called on the Government to scrap theThree Waters reform programme and carbon emissions taxes on the agricultural sector.[97]
Hipkins was faced almost immediately with the2023 Auckland Anniversary Weekend floods. The flash flooding began on 27 January 2023, and saw an entire summer's worth of rain fall within just a day.[98][99] On 28 January, Hipkins andMinister for Emergency ManagementKieran McAnulty visited Auckland to liaise with emergency services, reassure affected constituents, and assess the damage.[100] Hipkins subsequently attended a press conference in West Auckland with MacAnulty,Mayor of AucklandWayne Brown, andMinister of TransportMichael Wood.[101]
After Hipkins's ascension to the role of prime minister and his response to the recent floods,opinion polls saw his personal popularity and that of the Labour Party surge:[102][103][104] a1News–Kantar poll had Labour up 5 percentage points to 38, withNational dropping one percentage point to 37; Hipkins also had a net approval of 36 points, with National LeaderChristopher Luxon trailing on 9 points.[103] Another poll conducted byNewshub–Reid Research had Labour up 5.7 points to 38, ahead of National, which fell 4.1 points, dropping to 36.6.[105]
In February 2023, Hipkins announced that several policies including theproposed TVNZ-RNZ merger and that abiofuel mandate requiring petrol and diesel to contain a certain percentage of biofuel from renewable resources would be scrapped. In addition, Hipkins confirmed that other policies including the social income insurance scheme, proposed hate speech legislation, and theThree Waters reform programme would be delayed or revised. In the end the hate speech legislation was deleyed and not talked about until in March 2024 when the policy was ordered to be scrapped by the newly in powerNZ National Party.[106] While theThree Waters Reform programme was eventually passed and promised to be reformed in 2021 by theNZ Labour Party.[107] Hipkins also confirmed that theminimum wage would be raised from NZ$21.20 to NZ$22.70 an hour from 1 April 2023. In response to the recent North Island floods, Hipkins confirmed that the Government would invest NZ$3 million in discretionary flood recovery payments, NZ$1 million in supporting flood-affected businesses, and an additional NZ$1 million in mental health support.[108][109][110]
On 13 March, Hipkins announced that the Government would scrap several policies and reform programmes including legislation to lower the voting age to 16 years, the speed reduction programme except for the most dangerous 1% of highways, and the NZ$586 millionClean Car Upgrade programme. In addition, the Government announced that it would delay or revise several policies and programmes including proposed alcohol reforms, the container return scheme, public transportation including theAuckland Light Rail, and public consultation on a new test to determine the difference between contractors and employees. The Government would redirect funding to a NZ$2 billion to a welfare package to provide "bread and butter" support to 1.4 million New Zealanders affected by the ongoing "cost of living" crisis.[111][112] While the Green and Māori parties criticised the Government for backtracking on climate action policies, the National and ACT parties welcomed the scrapping of "wasteful" Government policies but questioned the Government's commitment to change.[113][114]
On 11 April 2023, Hipkins and Health Minister Verrall announced that the New Zealand Government would retain the few remaining COVID-19 restrictions including the seven-day mandatory isolation period for positive cases and mask wearing requirements at hospitals for at least two months.[115]
The2023 New Zealand Budget, presented on 18 May 2023, was regarded as cementing Hipkins's dedication to a "no-frills" welfare programme to combat cost of living.[116] The budget included many sweeping initiatives to support lower-middle class New Zealanders, including $618.6 million to scrap NZ$5 prescription fees, $1.2 billion to extend 20 free early childhood education hours to include two year olds, $327 million on free public transport for under-13 year olds, and permanent half-price fees for under-25 year olds, and $402 million on expanding the Warmer Kiwi Homes plan. The latter will subsidise heating, insulation, hot water heat pumps, andLED lamps.[117] The budget will also allocate NZ$1.9b from the Climate Emergency Response Fund on emissions reductions and adaptation measures.[117] The budget also included a "huge funding boost" forTe Matatini, putting it on par with theRoyal New Zealand Ballet and theNew Zealand Symphony Orchestra for the first time in over 50 years.[118]
On 7 February, Hipkins undertook his first state visit to the Australian capital, Canberra, where he met Australian Prime MinisterAnthony Albanese. While the two leaders reaffirmedAustralian–New Zealand bilateral relations, they also discussed the controversialSection 501 deportation policy. During the visit, Albanese confirmed thathis government would revise the deportation policy to take into account individuals' connections to Australia and the length of time they had lived in the country.[119][120] During the visit, the two leaders exchanged gifts, with Hipkins gifting Albanese a greenstonepounamu in the shape of a hook and Albanese gifting a selection of Australian records.[121]
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In early May 2023, Hipkins confirmed that he would attend thecoronation of King Charles III on 6 May. He also extended an invitation to Leader of the OppositionChristopher Luxon. Hipkins confirmed that he would meet with Charles III, British Prime MinisterRishi Sunak, Minister of State for the Armed ForcesJames Heappey, and New Zealand soldiers stationed in the UK training Ukrainian forces. Prior to his departure for the UK, Hipkins also called Ukrainian PresidentVolodymyr Zelenskyy to reiterate New Zealand's support for Ukraine.[122]
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On 22 May 2023, Hipkins visited Papua New Guinea where he met with several regional and international leaders including Papua New Guinean Prime MinisterJames Marape, Cook Islands Prime MinisterMark Brown, United States Secretary of StateAntony Blinken, and Indian Prime MinisterNarendra Modi.[123][124][125] Hipkins's visit coincided with the signing of two bilateral defence and maritime agreements between the United States and Papua New Guinea. Hipkins voiced support for the strengthening ofPapua New Guinea–United States relations and stated that the United States and New Zealand would work together on combating climate change and the "militarisation" of the South Pacific. He also stated that the United States acknowledged New Zealand'snuclear-free stance.[124][126] On 23 May, Hipkins accepted an offer from Modi to visit India and discuss a proposed free trade agreement between India and New Zealand.[125]
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On 19 June,Radio New Zealand reported that Hipkins would lead a large political and business delegation to China in late June 2023 to promote diplomatic and trade relations with China. Hipkins also confirmed that he would meet Chinese PresidentXi Jinping during the state visit.[127] Hipkins's delegation arrived in Beijing on 26 June where he was greeted by New Zealand Ambassador to ChinaGrahame Morton and Chinese Vice Minister of Foreign AffairsMa Zhaoxu.[128] On 27 June, Hipkins met with Xi, with the two leaders emphasising the importance of friendly bilateral relations. The two heads of government discussedChina–New Zealand relations,China–United States relations, theRussian invasion of Ukraine, Pacific issues, and human rights.[129] The opposition criticised Hipkins for flying with a second jetliner as backup to as far as the Philippines in case theRoyal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF)Boeing 757 he rode were to experience mishap. According to the RNZAF, the precaution is not unusual. Delegations to other destinations in the past have become stranded after their plane broke down.[130]
On 9 July, Hipkins andPresident of the European CommissionUrsula von der Leyen formally signed theNew Zealand-European free trade agreement in Brussels. which awaits ratification by theEuropean Parliament. While farmers and some political groups in the European Parliament are expected to oppose the free trade agreement,European Union Ambassador to New Zealand Nina Obermaier confirmed that the 27 European Union member states had consented to the agreement[131]
On 8 October 2023, Hipkins unequivocally condemned Hamas's actions during theGaza war. He said that the target of civilians and hostage taking violated fundamental international humanitarian principles. He also stated Israel had the right to defend itself. Hipkins's statement came after the Foreign MinisterNanaia Mahuta had issued a statement calling for the belligerents to halt violence, protect civilians, and uphold international humanitarian law. In response to criticism of Mahuta's remarks byACT Party leaderDavid Seymour, Hipkins denied that Mahuta was out of step with New Zealand foreign policy and stated that her remarks was a matter of timing.[132][133] On 19 November 2023, Hipkins called for an immediate ceasefire in theGaza Strip, saying "the violence and the killing has to stop".[134]
Hipkins led the Labour Party into the2023 general election.[135] During the election campaign, Hipkins ruled out introducing acapital gains tax if Labour was re-elected to Government.[136] In July 2023, Labour introduced sweeping welfare initiatives as part ofthat year's budget, including a $1 billion Cyclone Recovery plan, a large increase inchildcare andparental leave, scrappingprescription co-payments, free public transport for under-13s (and half price for under-25s),[137] and increasing the funding forTe Matatini tenfold.[138]
Theresults of the general election, on 14 October, saw Labour lose its majority in Parliament; its share of seats dropped to 34, while its share of the party vote decreased to 26.91%.[139] Hipkins conceded the election to National Party leaderChristopher Luxon on election night.[135] Hipkins retained his Remutaka electorate seat by a margin of 8,859 votes.[140]
On 7 November, Labour's parliamentary caucus voted to retain Hipkins as party leader during a leadership vote held inUpper Hutt. The party's constitution requires MPs to vote on the leadership within three months after an election, with leaders needing at least 60 percent plus one of the caucus.[141] On 10 November, Hipkins and Luxon agreed to advise Governor-GeneralCindy Kiro to prolong thecaretaker government arrangement due to lengthy coalition talks betweenNational,ACT andNew Zealand First.[142] Hipkins continued to serve as caretaker prime minister until the formation of theNational-led government.[142] He stepped down and Luxon succeeded him on 27 November.[143]
In addition to serving asleader of the Opposition, Hipkins also serves as spokesperson for ministerial services and national intelligence and security in theLabour shadow cabinet.[144]
In September 2024, theTaxpayer Union-Curia Poll found that Hipkins's had fallen by 6.1 points to 12.6% in the Preferred Prime Minister Poll while the Labour Party ranked 26.7%. In response to the poll, several senior Labour MPs includingKieran McAnulty,David Parker,Jan Tinetti andWillie Jackson expressed support for Hipkins's leadership of the party. In mid September 2024, Hipkins attended a BritishLabour Party conference and met with members of theStarmer ministry.[145] In mid-September, a Talbot Mills survey conducted between 1 and 10 September found that Hipkins ranked 22% in the Preferred Prime Minister Poll.[146]In mid-October 2024, a1News–Verian poll found that 54% of respondents thought that Hipkins should remain as leader of the Labour Party while 26% thought he should step down. The poll surveyed 1,000 eligible voters.[147]
On 12 November 2024, Hipkins spoke at the National Apology to survivors ofabuse in state and faith-based care alongside Prime MinisterChristopher Luxon, acknowledged the failings of successive governments towards abuse victims and survivors.[148]
On 7 March 2025, Hipkins announced a second cabinet reshuffle of his shadow cabinet during his State of the Nation speech at the Auckland Chamber of Business. He also announced the creation of a new economic team consisting of fellow MPsBarbara Edmonds,Ginny Andersen,Peeni Henare,Reuben Davidson andCushla Tangaere-Manuel.[149]
In mid-May 2025, Hipkins expressed disagreement with the Parliamentary Privileges Committee's recommendation that theTe Pāti Māori (TPM) MPHana-Rawhiti Maipi-Clarke be suspended for seven days, and that TPM co-leadersDebbie Ngarewa-Packer andRawiri Waititi be suspended for 21 days. During a parliamentary debate on the proposed suspension, Hipkins agreed that the three TPM MPs had broken the rules of Parliament but disagreed with the suspension, instead proposing that Waititi and Ngarewa-Packer be suspended from Parliament for 24 hours and that no further action be taken against Maipi-Clarke. Parliament subsequently adoptedLeader of the HouseChris Bishop's motion that the suspension debate be deferred until 5 June 2025, allowing the TPM MPs to participate in the upcoming debate around the2025 New Zealand budget.[150] On 5 June, Parliament voted along party lines to suspend the three Te Pāti Māori MPs.[151]
In September 2025, Hipkins called the situation inGaza agenocide and said that New Zealand should officially recognise it and speak out against it.[152] In late October 2025, Hipkins announced that a future Labour government would introduce a 28%capital gains tax on property transactions excluding family homes and farms. The capital gains tax would be used to fund three doctors' visits a year. In addition, Hipkins said a future Labour Government would grant tax subsidies for the domestic video game industry.[153]
Hipkins is typically regarded as a centrist politician and pragmatic.[154][155] A student activist at university, he has labelled himself as increasingly moderate due to deepeningpolitical polarisation.[156] During his premiership he emphasised "bread and butter" issues,[157] such as combatting the increasedcost of living. Some observers see this as a push to retain or regain the support of the centristswing voters who abandoned National in swathes for Labour in 2020.[158][159][160]
Hipkins is not amonarchist, but ahead of thecoronation of Charles III he announced that he would not be pushing forNew Zealand to become a republic during his premiership.[122] During a press conference, Hipkins stated: "Ideally, I think in time, New Zealand will become a fully independent country ... I don't think that swapping out the governor-general for some other form of head of state is necessarily an urgent priority right now, though."[161]
In June 2024, Hipkins indicated that he was opened to amending legislation to change how MPs could claim housing allowances for their Wellington accommodation following media reports that several MPs were claiming housing allowances despite owning property in Wellington.[162]
Hipkins is nicknamed "Chippy", a diminutive name derived from his initials, but reflective of his "upbeat, slightly schoolboyish demeanour".[163] He is known for his enjoyment ofsausage rolls andCoke Zero.[164][165] His love for sausage rolls has promoted discussion, with some political commentators claiming it embodies the sharp departure from thesoft power New Zealand experienced under Ardern ("Jacindamania").[166] Hipkins has embraced his public perception,[166] and is generally known as humble, affable,[167] and self-deprecating.[168][169][170][171]
Hipkins and his wife Jade were married in 2020 in a ceremony held atPremier House, Wellington, withGrant Robertson serving as best man.[172] He has two children. He and his wife separated in 2022.[173] When he took extendedpaternity leave for the birth of his second child in 2018, he was one of the first senior male cabinet ministers to do so.[7]
By October 2023, Hipkins had begun a relationship with former staffer Toni Grace.[174] The relationship was publicly revealed during his election night concession speech in October 2023.[175] In mid November 2025, he confirmed that he was engaged to Grace.[176]
A detail from the behind the scenes machinations here: Kiri Allan was among the seven MPs who nominated Chris Hipkins as a candidate for the party's leader position.
| New Zealand Parliament | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by | Member of Parliament for Remutaka 2008–present | Incumbent |
| Preceded by | Leader of the House 2017–2023 | Succeeded by |
| Political offices | ||
| Preceded by | Minister of Education 2017–2023 | Succeeded by |
| Preceded by | Minister for the Public Service 2017–2023 | Succeeded by |
| Preceded by | Minister of Police 2022–2023 | Succeeded by |
| New ministerial post | Minister for COVID-19 Response 2020–2022 | Succeeded by |
| Preceded by | Minister of Health 2020 | Succeeded by |
| Preceded by | Prime Minister of New Zealand 2023 | Succeeded by |
| Preceded by | Leader of the Opposition 2023–present | Incumbent |
| Party political offices | ||
| Preceded by | Senior Whip of the Labour Party 2011–2013 2014–2016 | Succeeded by |
| Preceded by | Succeeded by | |
| Preceded by | Leader of the Labour Party 2023–present | Incumbent |
Prime Minister of New Zealand (2023) •Leader of the Labour Party (2023–present) •Member of Parliament forRemutaka (2008–present) | ||
| Premiership | .jpg) | |
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| Other | ||
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