Chris Hipkins: Labour Leader on Infrastructure Report, Kiwisaver, and NZ Firsts rise in the polls episode artwork

EPISODE · Feb 17, 2026 · 11 MIN

Chris Hipkins: Labour Leader on Infrastructure Report, Kiwisaver, and NZ Firsts rise in the polls

from Canterbury Mornings with John MacDonald · host Newstalk ZB

Chris Hipkins says we need to take the politics out of the Infrastructure Commissions National Infrastructure Plan. The Leader of the Opposition told John MacDonald that he thinks the Commission has done a "really good job" on their recent report, and we need to focus on the basics. "They've pointed out we have an over reliance on shiny new things, and we haven't done the basic maintenance of the things we've already got." "We need to take the politics out of it and focus on a long-term plan." On the rise of Winson Peters and NZ First in the polls, he said that Peter's lifetime in politics has given some unique political skills of reinvention. "At the moment, he's trying to be an opposition MP while also trying to be the third highest ranking minster in the current government." When asked if he has considered working with Peters to form the next government, Hipkins said that's something they will look at closer to election day.  "We'll set out closer to the election where we've got common ground with other parties." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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Chris Hipkins: Labour Leader on Infrastructure Report, Kiwisaver, and NZ Firsts rise in the polls

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