Hipkins calls vote-splitting dispute a sign of coalition "dysfunction"

RNZ's campaign stand-up also brings a firm commitment on Barbara Edmonds and Labour's plans to get voters to the polls.

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RNZ Story of October 31, 2026Trari Newsroom

Why this story? One of the most watched videos since yesterday, with 4,689 views.

Chris Hipkins says vote-splitting campaign shows coalition 'dysfunction' | RNZ

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0:45Hipkins outlines door-knocking, volunteer transport to polling booths and voting options for people unable to travel.
1:44He criticises National's advertising as negative and lacking a vision for the future.
2:21Asked about ACT and New Zealand First, he describes dysfunction on the political right.
3:29Hipkins confirms Barbara Edmonds would be finance minister in any Labour-led government.
5:05He identifies the cost of living, healthcare and jobs as Labour's priorities.
8:06Helen White reports swing-voter interest in Labour; Michael Wood then describes enrolment difficulties.

Should National supporters give their party vote to its coalition partners? Christopher Luxon warns that the suggestion could confuse voters. Chris Hipkins sees the dispute itself as evidence of "dysfunction" on the right.

That disagreement supplies the headline for RNZ's new campaign press conference, which drew roughly 4,700 views in its first six hours. With a week of campaigning left, the Labour leader combines criticism of National's advertising with a practical push to get people voting.

The vote-splitting proposal encouraged electorate votes for National but party votes for ACT and New Zealand First. Those are separate choices: one selects a local MP, while the party vote largely determines each party's share of Parliament. In separate RNZ coverage, Luxon rejects the suggestion that backing another party is somehow helpful to National. RNZ reports that the website promoting the approach was taken down after an Electoral Commission complaint, which National confirmed it had made.

Hipkins argues that National has concentrated on attacking others rather than offering voters a vision. He also gives an unequivocal personnel commitment: Barbara Edmonds would be finance minister in any government Labour leads. He names the cost of living, healthcare and jobs as Labour's priorities.

Away from the coalition criticism, the stand-up gets into the mechanics of turnout: door-knocking, volunteer transport to polling places and options for people unable to travel. Helen White says she is encountering swing voters moving towards Labour, while Michael Wood describes people struggling with enrolment. Hipkins closes by expressing optimism about turnout, the task he puts at the centre of Labour's final campaign stretch.

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