Hipkins was born and raised in the Hutt Valley in Wellington, and while at Victoria University of Wellington became heavily involved in student politics. He was elected president of VUWSA 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 the National Party to governance won it by a thin margin. As Labour's education spokesperson during their nine years in opposition, Hipkins became regarded as a "cut-throat political player" and a sharp, quick-witted debater.[4][5] After Jacinda Ardern led Labour to victory in the 2017 general election, Hipkins assumed multiple portfolios within the Sixth Labour Government, serving variously as minister of education, police, the public service, and leader of the House. For his perceived competence within multiple roles and responsibilities, Hipkins became regarded as Labour's "fixer".[6][7]
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.[18]
Hipkins received a Bachelor of Arts with a major in political science and criminology from Victoria University of Wellington.[19] He then worked as a policy advisor for the Industry Training Federation and as a training manager for Todd Energy in Taranaki. Hipkins also worked in Parliament as an advisor to Trevor Mallard and Helen Clark.[20]
Hipkins was selected to stand in the Labour-held seat of Rimutaka (renamed Remutaka in 2020 following a 2016 Treaty of Waitangi settlement)[21] in the 2008 general election, following the retirement of the sitting MP Paul Swain. He contested the Labour selection over trade unionist Paul Chalmers, who had Swain's support. His selection was part of Prime Minister Helen Clark's intention to rejuvenate the party with 29-year-old Hipkins winning against the 54-year-old Chalmers.[22] In his first election, Hipkins won the seat with a modest majority of 753.[23]
First term (2008–2011)
For the first nine years of Hipkins' parliamentary career, Labour formed the Official Opposition. Hipkins' maiden speech set out his interest in education policy.[15] In his first term, Hipkins was the Labour spokesperson for internal affairs and a member of parliamentary committees for government administration, local government and environment, and transport and infrastructure.[24]
In May 2010, his Electricity (Renewable Preference) Amendment Bill was drawn from the member's ballot.[25] The bill would have reinstated a ban on the thermal generation of electricity which had been imposed by the previous Labour Government in September 2008 before being repealed by the incoming National Government in December 2008,[26] but was defeated at its first reading in June.[25]
In Hipkins' 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 the Labour Party's chief whip for the first time.[24] As education spokesperson, Hipkins was outspoken in his opposition to the National Government's implementation of charter schools in New Zealand[28] and closure of schools in Christchurch following the destructive 2011 earthquake.[29] Hipkins continued as education spokesperson under Shearer's successor, David Cunliffe.[24]
In late 2015, Hipkins received veiled threats, including a death threat, for voicing his concerns about a billboard advertising "cut-price" guns.[32]
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.[33]
As education minister, Hipkins has supported the abolition of National Standards and charter schools in New Zealand, which were supported by the previous National Government. He has also signaled a review of the National Certificate of Educational Achievement (NCEA) high school certificate system. However, Hipkins has clarified that the Ministry of Education would continue to fund the University 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 opposition National and ACT parties.[40][41] 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.[42] By September 2018, all twelve charter schools had successfully transitioned to become state-integrated and special character schools.[43][44]
In December 2018, Hipkins rejected a recommendation by the Council of Victoria 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."[45][46]
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, and iwi-based scholarships over the next four years to address the teaching shortage. These measures were criticised as inadequate by the Post Primary Teachers' Association and National Party education spokesperson Nikki Kaye.[52][53][54]
On 1 August 2019, Hipkins reaffirmed the Government's plan to merge all polytechnics into a single entity in April 2020.[55] 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 spokesperson Shane Reti have opposed these changes, claiming they would damage the vocational training system and cause job losses.[56][57][58] By 2022, the merger began to strike difficulties including low enrolments, large deficits and resignations of senior staff.[59]
Following the resignation of David Clark as minister of health on 2 July 2020, Prime Minister Ardern appointed Hipkins as interim health minister, serving until the October 2020 general election.[34][60]
Fifth term (2020–2023)
Hipkins retained his seat, now known as Remutaka, during the 2020 general election, with a total of 20,497 votes.[61]
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.[35] 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 alert level restrictions following the August 2021 outbreak in Auckland.[62][63][64][65][66] In addition, Hipkins oversaw the launch of the Government's "My Vaccine Pass" vaccine certificate in November 2021, the national vaccination rollout, and the passage of the COVID-19 Response (Vaccinations) Legislation Act 2021, which provided the legal framework for the Government's vaccine mandate.[67][68][69]
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".[70][71] Commentators suggested that he meant to say, "stretch your legs."[72]
In mid-January 2022, Hipkins, in his capacity as minister for COVID-19 response, postponed the next MIQ lottery due to a tenfold increase in imported Omicron cases entering New Zealand.[73][74] 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."[74]
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 journalist Charlotte 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 an Al 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 the Managed Isolation and Quarantine (MIQ) system.[75]
Hipkins was criticised by Bellis' 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. MPs Chris Bishop and David Seymour, from National and ACT respectively, also criticised Hipkins' actions, stating that they were "unbecoming" of a minister of the Crown.[76] 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.[77]
Throughout 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, MIQ isolation hotels, the COVID-19 Protection Framework, and border isolation requirements.[78][79][80][81][82] 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 out contact 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.[83]
In September 2022, Hipkins apologised to former Finance Minister Bill 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 Minister Nanaia Mahuta's husband Gannin Ormsby.[84][85]
In mid-October 2022, Hipkins, acting on behalf of COVID-19 response minister Verrall, announced that the Government would scrap several of the COVID-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.[86][87] That same day, Hipkins confirmed that the Government would hold a Royal Commission of Inquiry into its COVID-19 responses.[88]
Prime Minister (2023)
Premiership of Chris Hipkins 25 January 2023–27 November 2023
On 19 January 2023,Jacinda Ardern unexpectedly announced 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.[89][90]
Hipkins was confirmed as the only nominee shortly after nominations closed at 9:00 a.m. on 21 January.[9][91]Stuff reported that Kiritapu 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.[92] Hipkins had previously demurred when asked about his leadership aspirations,stating that he would support whichever candidate the Labour Party could "reach a consensus" on.[93] 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.[94] The formal meeting to confirm Hipkins as leader was scheduled for 1:00 p.m. on 22 January 2023.[90]
Hipkins was sworn in as prime minister by Governor-General Dame Cindy Kiro on 25 January 2023.[95] His deputy prime minister was Carmel Sepuloni,the first Pasifika to hold the position.[10] 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".[96] 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 a centrist.[97]
Domestic affairs
On 26 January,Hipkins met several Auckland business leaders at a roundtable event hosted by the Auckland Business Chamber,led by former National MP Simon 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.[98] 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' 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 the Three Waters reform programme and carbon emissions taxes on the agricultural sector.[99]
After Hipkins' 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:[104][105][106] a 1 News–Kantar poll had Labour up 5 percentage points to 38,with National dropping one percentage point to 37;Hipkins also had a net approval of 36 points,with National Leader Christopher Luxon trailing on 9 points.[105] Another poll conducted by Newshub–Reid Research had Labour up 5.7 points to 38,ahead of National,which fell 4.1 points,dropping to 36.6.[107]
In February 2023,Hipkins announced that several policies including the proposed TVNZ-RNZ merger and that a biofuel 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 the Three Waters reform programme would be delayed or revised. Hipkins also confirmed that the minimum 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 million Clean 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 the Auckland 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]
The 2023 New Zealand Budget,presented on 18 May 2023,was regarded as cementing Hipkins' 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,and LED 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" for Te Matatini,putting it on par with the Royal New Zealand Ballet and the New 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 Minister Anthony Albanese. While the two leaders reaffirmed Australian–New Zealand bilateral relations,they also discussed the controversial Section 501 deportation policy. During the visit,Albanese confirmed that his 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 greenstone pounamu in the shape of a hook and Albanese gifting a selection of Australian records.[121]
In early May 2023,Hipkins confirmed that he would attend the coronation of King Charles III on 6 May. He also extended an invitation to Leader of the Opposition Christopher Luxon. Hipkins confirmed that he would meet with Charles III,British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak,Minister of State for the Armed Forces James Heappey,and New Zealand soldiers stationed in the UK training Ukrainian forces. Prior to his departure for the UK,Hipkins also called Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to reiterate New Zealand's support for Ukraine.[122]
On 22 May 2023,Hipkins visited Papua New Guinea where he met with several regional and international leaders including Papua New Guinean Prime Minister James Marape,Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown,United States Secretary of State Antony Blinken,and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.[123][124][125] Hipkins' 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 of Papua 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's nuclear-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]
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 President Xi Jinping during the state visit.[127] Hipkins' delegation arrived in Beijing on 26 June where he was greeted by New Zealand Ambassador to China Grahame Morton and Chinese Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Ma Zhaoxu.[128] On 27 June,Hipkins met with Xi,with the two leaders emphasizing the importance of friendly bilateral relations. The two heads of government discussed China–New Zealand relations,China–United States relations,the Ukraine conflict,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 the Royal 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 8 October 2023,Hipkins unequivocally condemned Hamas' actions during the Israel–Hamas 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' statement came after the Foreign Minister Nanaia 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 by ACT Party leader David 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 the Gaza Strip,saying "the violence and the killing has to stop".[134]
2023 general election
Hipkins led the Labour Party into the 2023 general election.[135] During the election campaign,Hipkins ruled out introducing a capital gains tax if Labour was re-elected to Government.[136] In July 2023,Labour introduced sweeping welfare initiatives as part of that year's budget,including a $1 billion Cyclone Recovery plan,a large increase in childcare and parental leave,scrapping prescription co-payments,free public transport for under-13s (and half price for under-25s),[137] and increasing the funding for Te Matatini tenfold.[138]
The results 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 leader Christopher Luxon on election night.[135] Hipkins retained his Remutaka electorate seat by a margin of 8,859 votes.[140]
In Opposition (2023–present)
On 7 November,Labour's parliamentary caucus voted to retain Hipkins as party leader during a leadership vote held in Upper 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-General Cindy Kiro to prolong the caretaker government arrangement due to lengthy coalition talks between National,ACT and New Zealand First.[142] Hipkins continued to serve as caretaker prime minister until the formation of the National-led government.[142] He stepped down and Luxon succeeded him on 27 November.[143]
Hipkins is typically regarded as a centrist politician,and an "arch-pragmatist".[145][146] A student activist at university,he has labelled himself as increasingly moderate due to deepening political polarisation.[4] During his premiership he emphasised "bread and butter" issues,[147] such as combatting the increased cost of living. Some observers see this as a push to retain or regain the support of the centrist swing voters who abandoned National in swathes for Labour in 2020.[148][149][150]
Hipkins is not a monarchist,but ahead of the coronation of Charles III he announced that he would not be pushing for New 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."[151]
Public image
Hipkins is nicknamed "Chippy",a diminutive name derived from his initials,but reflective of his "upbeat,slightly schoolboyish demeanour".[152] He is known for his enjoyment of sausage rolls and Coke Zero.[153][154] His love for sausage rolls has promoted discussion,with some political commentators claiming it embodies the sharp departure from the soft power New Zealand enjoyed under Ardern ("Jacindamania").[155] Ben Thomas,a political consultant and former staffer for the National Party,said in 2023 that "for five years we had this funny,beautiful,self-deprecating PM who looks like an actual princess when she goes to meet the Queen ... and now we've got the sausage roll guy."[155] Hipkins has embraced his public perception,[155] and is generally known as humble,affable,[156] and self-deprecating.[157][158][159][160]
Personal life
Hipkins and his wife Jade were married in 2020 in a ceremony held at Premier House,Wellington,with Grant Robertson serving as best man.[161] He has two children. He and his wife separated in 2022.[162] When he took extended paternity leave for the birth of his second child in 2018,he was one of the first senior male cabinet ministers to do so.[9] He remet former staffer Toni Grace and began a relationship with her.[163] The relationship was publicly revealed during his election night concession speech in October 2023.[164]
Both of Hipkins' children have a blood clotting disorder known as Von Willebrand disease. In mid-August 2023,he took leave from election campaigning to support his four-year old daughter.[165][166]
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1 2 3 4 "Hipkins, Chris". www.parliament.nz. New Zealand Parliament. Former Roles. Archived from the original on 28 October 2022. Retrieved 22 January 2023.
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