Chris Hipkins leads Labour push for unlikely 2026 election victory

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 2 Nov, 20:38 · Archive

Labour leader Chris Hipkins says the party is in contention for the November 7 New Zealand election despite long odds.

As the New Zealand election enters its final days, Labour leader Chris Hipkins says the party is in contention despite long odds. A polling average shows very little between the left bloc and the three-party coalition. Hipkins told the Australian Associated Press this week: 'We're feeling very, very good.' He added: 'One of the weirdest things about this campaign is reconciling opinion polls with what we're actually experiencing. This is my seventh election as a candidate and probably one of the best moods that I've ever seen on the ground towards Labour.'

Hipkins has faced considerable obstacles. In January 2023, he succeeded Jacinda Ardern as prime minister with only 0.3 per cent as his top preferred prime minister rating. His nine months in the role ended with multiple ministerial exits and what the reports describe as a significant election loss. Labour has never won back government after just one opposition term in its history, and no New Zealand prime minister since 1960 has reclaimed office after an election loss.

Whether Hipkins's confidence reflects well-grounded prospects or wishful thinking will be determined on 7 November.

How it is being reported

• Chipper Hipkins sees stars aligning for NZ LabourHe was once considered a preferred prime minister by just 0.3 per cent of New Zealanders but Chris Hipkins is taking the 2026 election to the wire.Perth Now · 2 Nov, 20:02
• Chipper Hipkins sees stars aligning for NZ LabourHe was once considered a preferred prime minister by just 0.3 per cent of New Zealanders but Chris Hipkins is taking the 2026 election to the wire.The West Australian · 2 Nov, 20:02

In this story: Chris Hipkins · Labour · Jacinda Ardern · New Zealand

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