Chris Hipkins rules out police roles for Greens and Te Pāti Māori in future government
At an October 14 leaders’ debate, the Labour leader said the parties would not receive key law enforcement portfolios if Labour forms a government.
Labour leader Chris Hipkins said at an NZ Herald leaders’ debate in New Zealand on October 14 that he would rule out giving the Greens or Te Pāti Māori the Police or Corrections portfolios in a future government, following photos of MPs with Mongrel Mob members.
Why Hipkins ruled out the portfolios
Hipkins called the MPs’ visit to a gang pad bad judgment and said he did not condone it, the NZ Herald reported. The Spinoff’s live coverage independently reported his exclusion of the two parties from police and justice portfolios; its description differs from the Herald’s account of Police and Corrections.
Sources and context
- 'Bad judgement': Hipkins rules out Greens, TPM from major ministerial roles in Herald debateNZ Herald
- Election 2026: Live updates from the second leaders' debateThe Spinoff
AI-assisted article checked against the listed sources. NewsJaws did not conduct interviews or attend the reported events.
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