'It's clearly not going to happen': Chris Hipkins definitively rules out NZ First
Labour leader Chris Hipkins has ruled out a governing deal with New Zealand First.
Hipkins had not formally dismissed the possibility of working with the party until today – he ruled it out at the last election and earlier rejected NZ First leader Winston Peters as Foreign Minister.
Peters has also ruled out working with Hipkins personally, as he did at the last election.
“Winston Peters has ruled us out, I’m happy to rule him out. It’s clearly not going to happen,” Hipkins said.
He said the party had some “further internal conversations” about the rule-out and he discussed it at caucus last week. Not a single member of Labour’s caucus disagreed.
Peters has been embroiled in a scandal after telling Green MP Lawrence Xu-Nan to “go back to your own country”.
Hipkins said NZ First indulged in “overt racism”, which he did not want in a government that he led.
“New Zealand First and Labour will not be working together. A vote for NZ First is a vote for Christopher Luxon to continue as Prime Minister.”
More to come ...
Take your Radio, Podcasts and Music with you
Get the iHeart App
Get more of the radio, music and podcasts you love with the FREE iHeart app. Scan the QR code to download now.
Download from the app stores
Stream unlimited music, thousands of radio stations and podcasts all in one app. iHeart is easy to use and all FREE
