Chris Hipkins backs Pacific defence deal and vows to protect migrant voting rights

Video: Labour leader Chris Hipkins says New Zealand must protect its nuclear-free status, back peace in the Pacific, and defend permanent residents’ voting rights. (The Bradbury Group on Waatea News)

Opposition leader Chris Hipkins has backed closer Pacific defence co-operation while warning permanent residents their voting rights could be under threat if the current coalition Government is re-elected.

Speaking on The Bradbury Group’s flagship political show hosted by Waatea News, Hipkins said the Australia-Fiji defence deal made sense because the Pacific should remain “a zone of peace”. He said New Zealand should consider signing up to the same approach.

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Image: Chris Hipkins speaks at the Labour Conference 2025 event in Auckland. (Supplied / Labour)

Hipkins also ruled out any shift on New Zealand’s nuclear-free stance, saying there was “no need to revisit that” and that nuclear-free New Zealand was now part of the country’s identity. On defence spending, he said the country needed a Defence Force suited to disaster response, Pacific aid and national emergencies, but rejected any increase driven by pressure from the United States.

The biggest warning came over New Zealand First’s proposal to remove voting rights from permanent residents. Bradbury said the move could affect about 700,000 people come election time.

Hipkins said Labour would protect those voting rights, adding: “If this Government’s re-elected, it may be the last vote they get to cast in New Zealand.”

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The opposition leader accused the coalition Government of scapegoating minorities, including Māori, migrant communities and rainbow New Zealanders. Migrant workers were being unfairly blamed for infrastructure failures caused by successive governments.

Attacks on migrant communities were “absolutely disgraceful” said Hipkins, as he pointed to aged care as one sector heavily reliant on migrant workers.

The interview ended with Hipkins giving a cautious response on whether Labour could work with TOP if it crossed the 5 percent threshold, saying the party had “some interesting ideas” but some would be out of the question for Labour.

*Sponsored video brought to you by Waatea Digital, home of The Bradbury Group on Waatea News.

13 Comments

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CityDesk_6

1 month ago

The warning on migrant voting rights is a bit worrying.

Ivy K

Reply to CityDesk_6

I think some concerns about migrant voting rights are understandable.

Joshua P

You reckon it is a bit worrying, but aren’t you worried Labour might be playing politics with this issue instead of addressing the real elephant in the room

Maia A

It appears hipkins is trying to appeal to various demographics with his stance. On the matter of voting rights, I actually like Labour to be standing by its commitment to protecting these rights.

BayReader

Reply to Maia A

Having trouble understanding the apparent contradiction in Hipkins’ stance on migrant voting rights – he’s surely saying Labour will protect them from NZ First’s proposal also seems to be warning that if the current Government is elected again, their voting rights may be in jeopardy anyway.

Hemi Wilson

doesn’t Labour’s commitmentseem to be at odds with the warning that it may be the ‘last vote’ for them if the current gov’t is re-elected?

-1

Reply to Hemi Wilson

Not really. I doubt so… this is like a genuine policy.

Rowan Wilson

I’m not convinced it’s wise to blindly follow a similar arrangement with Fiji. Has he considered the implications of becoming embroiled in a region where Australia’s influence is so strong, or is this just a knee-jerk reaction to avoid being left out?

Finn

Not surprised by on maintaining voting rights considering this govt has a track record of using the latter group as scapegoats for their own failures lol.

TideMark_92

I’m pretty shocked if the coalition gets re-elected then 700,000 peoples rights are at stake here.

Tara A.

With regard to the recent state of migrant voting rights being eroded, I think it’s heartening to see someone is taking a firm stance on these issues at hand.

Dane A

I find it reassuring that he’s backing closer Pacific defence.

Nico

He rules out any shift on New Zealand’s nuclear-free stance, which I wholeheartedly agree with,

-2

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