Chris Hipkins definitively rules out governing deal with NZ First
Labour leader Chris Hipkins has officially ruled out any governing coalition with New Zealand First, ending months of ambiguity on the question.
Labour leader Chris Hipkins has officially ruled out forming a government with New Zealand First, saying the party will have no role in any government he leads. The decision came after a pattern of behaviour from NZ First leader Winston Peters that Hipkins said was bad for social cohesion, including comments he deemed overtly racist. Hipkins discussed the rule-out at Labour's caucus meeting with no dissent from his MPs. Peters responded dismissively, pointing out he had already ruled out working with Labour repeatedly over the past year.
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Coverage across the news outlets we track, as at publication.
What outlets are saying
NZ Herald
Election 2026: Chris Hipkins definitively rules out governing deal with NZ First
Labour had not formally dismissed the possibility of working with the party until today.
Newstalk ZB
Election 2026: Chris Hipkins definitively rules out governing deal with NZ First
Labour leader Chris Hipkins has ruled out a governing deal with New Zealand First.
Otago Daily Times
Labour leader rules out working with NZ First
interest.co.nz
Labour leader Chris Hipkins officially rules out working with NZ First, says party's behaviour 'bad for social cohesion'
Labour leader Chris Hipkins officially rules out working with Winston Peters and NZ First, saying ‘they won’t have any role in a government that I lead’
The Spinoff
‘It’s clearly not going to happen’: Labour finally officially rules out working with NZ First
Chris Hipkins has ruled out working with New Zealand First in any government he leads, ending months of hedging on the question, writes Henry Oliver in today’s excerpt from The Bulletin. To receive The Bulletin in full each weekday, sign…