Hipkins Rejects Leadership Vote as New Zealand Parliament Prepares for Overhang

Labour leader Chris Hipkins told reporters outside Parliament that no leadership vote will take place when his caucus meets tomorrow. He stated that the election process is not yet complete and that he intends to remain in his current role until the final results are determined.

This is Hipkins' first public address to the media since the general election. He acknowledged the departure of several long-serving Labour members, including Rachel Boyack, Deborah Russell, and Dan Rosewarne. The party group is scheduled to hold its first meeting tomorrow to formally bid farewell to those leaving and to welcome incoming members.

Hipkins noted that the party will welcome new energy and talent into its ranks. However, he emphasized that the group must wait just under three weeks to know the final outcome of the election. He declined to commit to stepping down if Labour lacks a clear path to power once the special votes are counted.

"The election is not over yet," Hipkins said. "We could be forming a government before Christmas. So that is something .. that I will think about after the final result."

During the press conference, reporters inquired whether Michael Wood, a former minister returning to Parliament on current tallies, would be a suitable alternative leader. Hipkins dismissed the question, calling it ridiculous and asserting that there is no vacancy in the leadership position. He also avoided discussing why Labour failed to secure a stronger party vote, stating that the group will analyze the results once the final numbers are in.

Hipkins described a recent phone call with Opportunity leader Qiulae Wong as warm and constructive. He said the two leaders agreed to meet in person within the next week. The leader also addressed the departures from the National Party, naming Nicola Willis, Chris Bishop, Paul Goldsmith, and Gerry Brownlee as senior figures leaving their roles.

He called the outcome a tough way to leave Parliament for those departing. Regarding Willis, who served as finance minister, Hipkins acknowledged the difficulty of her position and wished her and her family well. He praised Bishop for their constructive working relationship as local representatives and Leaders of the House. He described Brownlee as a good opponent and a man of his word, noting that they had occasionally tested Brownlee's patience in his role as Speaker.

The composition of the new Parliament includes an overhang of 11 seats. Hipkins said the party will need to discuss whether further changes are necessary to prevent the vote-splitting strategies used in this campaign. He expressed concern about the low voter turnout, which is currently the second lowest ever recorded. He attributed part of the issue to changes made by the previous government that he believes disenfranchised voters.

Hipkins stated that the party will need to address these structural issues in the future. The caucus meeting will proceed as planned tomorrow, serving as the first formal gathering of the new parliamentary group.

The final result of the election will depend on the counting of special votes, a process that typically takes several weeks. Until that count is complete, the political landscape in New Zealand remains in a state of transition.