Chris Hipkins accuses Government of using councils as scapegoats

Thursday 15 October 2026 · 2 outlets · 3 reports · updated Thu 15 Oct, 3:40pm

In this story Labour Party, Chris Hipkins, Local Government New Zealand

Labour leader Chris Hipkins told local government leaders at a Rotorua conference that the Government is using councils as a political punching bag. He claimed councils are being blamed for problems that were actually created in Wellington.

How they headlined it

3h

11:34am2:47pm3:40pm

1. 1NewsThu 15 Oct, 11:34am

   Full video: Chris Hipkins speaks to media from Rotorua (opens in new tab)

   • 'Political punching bag': Hipkins says councils made 'scapegoats' (opens in new tab) Thu 15 Oct, 3:40pm
2. NZ HeraldThu 15 Oct, 2:47pm

   Labour leader Chris Hipkins tells Rotorua conference councils made a ‘scapegoat’ for Government’s failures (opens in new tab)