Election 2023: Chris Hipkins speaks to media after shimmying with Auckland voters

Labour leader Chris Hipkins says people have realised National’s tax policies are hollow, prompting a shift in the polls.

Hipkins, who is campaigning in Auckland today, declined to share Labour’s internal polling, but said the movement in the last week had been “positive”.

”People have realised the National’s tax policies are pretty hollow.”

He said Labour’s tax policies were the opposite, and again mentioned the plan to remove GST from fruit and vegetables - despite saying not many people speak to him about it when he’s out campaigning.

”A lot of people haven’t engaged with the specific policies, that’s what the campaign is about.”

He said it was “great to be back on the trail today” after his spell in isolation with Covid.

He said in order to make up for his days in isolation, he intended to have a “very active” few days.

On Winston Peters once again being in the position of kingmaker, Hipkins said “The country is fed up by being held to ransom by Winston Peters so if you don’t want that to happen, give your vote to Labour.”

On Peters’ refusal to work with Labour, Hipkins said in turn he would not work with Peters.

”I have been very clear the Labour Party will not be working with him.”

Pressed on whether he would call Peters if he was one point shy of government, Hipkins stood strong, saying he would absolutely refuse to work with him in any way.

“As I’ve indicated all the way along, I’m not spending any time on a Plan B.”

Labour leader Chris Hipkins walking through a guard of honour in South Auckland on Saturday. Photo / Adam Pearse

He would not budge on a wealth tax, despite Te Pāti Māori and the Greens campaigning hard on it.

”It’s not our priority and we won’t be doing it”.

He said National and Act offered hollow promises and “bumper sticker slogans”.

”People are seeing what the National Party is offering, they’ve seen how hollow it is and now they’re gathering behind Labour.

”A lot can change in a matter of days.”

Hipkins started a busy day of campaigning in Auckland with a bang, visiting an exuberant team of supporters in South Auckland for some sign-waving and even some shimmying.

Prior to the PM’s arrival to the base of Panmure-Ōtāhuhu candidate Jenny Salesa in Ōtara, there was a vibrant dance circle in play with several Labour candidates from various Auckland electorates showing off their moves.

Botany candidate Kharag Singh was a fan favourite, as was Tāmaki Makaurau candidate Peeni Henare as he pulled a massive pūkana.

All candidates in attendance were convinced to have their time in the circle, apart from Willie Jackson, who was conveniently away when his name was called.

Hipkins arrived to raucous applause and walked through a guard of honour as he doled out handshakes and hugs.

With mic in hand, Salesa told Hipkins and the crowd how her campaign team had knocked on “every door in the electorate” and said most people were loyal to Labour.

Hipkins cut a positive and energised figure, an impressive effort given he was only one day out of Covid isolation after experiencing his second infection.

Labour leader Chris Hipkins is welcomed by Labour candidates, shaking hands with Takanini candidate Dr Anae Neru Leavasa. Photo / Adam Pearse

Addressing the crowd, Hipkins was optimistic about next weekend’s election result, saying he expected to surprise people.

”I think the mood out there has changed in the last couple of days,” Hipkins said to loud cheers.

As dancing was a common theme of the event, Hipkins was repeatedly questioned by journalists whether he would join in.

The Labour leader gave a little shimmy as he walked with supporters to a nearby intersection for some sign-waving.

The dance circle of Labour supporters and candidates. Photo / Adam Pearse

It was understood Labour’s strategy this week was to shore up its support in Labour strongholds.

The party was very popular with passing traffic. There was no obvious opposition from commuters, who weren’t afraid to test out their car horns.

”[It’s] good for the soul,” Hipkins said when asked if he was enjoying being in Ōtara.

Many of today’s events were geared towards thanking party supporters for their efforts so far and encouraging them to put in another big push for the last week of voting.

He continued his whistle-stop tour across Auckland’s suburbs at a North Shore mall where people flocked to the Labour leader for photos.

Following his visit to Ōtara, the Hipkins convoy moved to New Lynn in West Auckland where he was met by supporters and local and neighbouring candidates Phil Twyford and Vanushi Walters.

Two notable absentees were New Lynn MP Dr Deborah Russell and Kelston MP Carmel Sepuloni. Russell tested positive for Covid-19 two days ago. It was understood Sepuloni was sick but not with Covid-19. She was expected to be re-joining campaign events later today.

With slightly unsettled weather in Auckland today, Twyford assured Hipkins: “Don’t worry about the dark clouds looking over the Waitakeres, we’re used to it.”A quick trip over the Harbour bridge brought Hipkins to Labour’s North Shore base next to Glenfield Mall.

Many people whom he greeted were thankful Hipkins was out of Covid isolation.

While addressing a joyous crowd, Hipkins declared Labour supporters had spoken with about 135,000 voters over the phone and on their doorsteps in the last four weeks, contributing to a record for Labour campaigns.

Hipkins repeated his message to those gathered ahead of a door-knocking session, saying he expected to surprise a lot of people with the election result.

”For the next seven days, we are going to pull out all the stops,” List MP Naisi Chen said.

”Go forth and multiply the votes,” she said.

Labour leader Chris Hipkins with party supporters at a base on the North Shore. Photo / Adam Pearse

Hipkins and his candidates then went for a walkabout through local shops and the mall.

At the Razor Room Barbershop, Hipkins struck up a chat with a young boy who had just been given an impressive-looking mullet.

Asked by the Herald whether he could pull off that hairstyle, Hipkins replied: “I used to have quite the mullet.”

Shock at that revelation prevented any further questions as Hipkins was pulled away.

In the mall, Hipkins was popular. Many people came up to him, requesting selfies and wishing him luck. Some said they’d just voted for him.

One group said they had just voted. Northcote MP Shanan Halbert asked: “two ticks Labour I hope?”

”At least one,” a member of the group responded.

Hipkins’ opponent, National leader Christopher Luxon, was no stranger to a walkabout and was renowned for his ability to strike up conversations with almost everyone he passed.

The Labour leader had a slightly different style, less willing to interrupt people’s lunches unless they beckoned him over or gave him a sign they were keen to chat.

Fortunately for Labour, there was little need to approach people as mall-goers were very keen to meet Hipkins and get a photo.

Not all interactions went to plan. A man and his baby were ushered through to Hipkins by one of Labour’s staffers, clearly recognising the opportunity to have photos of the Labour leader with a cute baby.

As they posed, the baby started crying.

”That was you, no me,” Hipkins said to Chen, jokingly throwing his MP under the bus.

The latest Herald Poll of Polls has Labour sitting at 26.8 per cent, the Greens at 12.3 per cent and Te Pāti Māori at 2.8 per cent.

National is at 35.8 per cent and Act at 10.6 per cent - meaning for a National/Act Government, they would need the support of Winston Peters’ NZ First - as would the bloc of Labour, Te Pāti Māori and the Greens.

However, the margins remain narrow. If NZ First just misses out on hitting 5 per cent, Act and National could comfortably form a government. If the result is close, voters may not find out who the government will be until after the final vote count on November 3.

Despite a small uptick for Labour in some polls, with just a week to go Labour’s only apparent chance at reclaiming the government benches would also require NZ First.

In the poll of polls, there is now zero probability of Labour, the Greens and Te Pāti Māori being able to form a government on election night – but a 63.5 per cent chance once NZ First is added.