Chris Hipkins rules out governing deal with NZ First

Monday 10 August 2026 · 6 outlets · 4 reports · updated Mon 10 Aug, 5:10pm

In this story Labour Party, Winston Peters, NZ First, Chris Hipkins, Shane Jones, Lawrence Xu-Nan

Labour leader Chris Hipkins has officially ruled out forming a government with New Zealand First. He stated the decision followed a unanimous caucus meeting, citing the party's recent behaviour and overt racism as the reasons for the move.

How they headlined it

4:06pm5:10pm

1. NZ HeraldMon 10 Aug, 4:06pm

   Election 2026: Chris Hipkins definitively rules out governing deal with NZ First (opens in new tab)

2. 1NewsMon 10 Aug, 4:27pm

   Labour rules out NZ First, Hipkins says caucus call was unanimous (opens in new tab)

3. StuffMon 10 Aug, 4:46pm

   Hipkins finally rules out NZ First over 'overt racism' — and gets a scathing response from Peters (opens in new tab)

4. The Press via RNZMon 10 Aug, 5:10pm

   Chris Hipkins officially rules out working with NZ First in any government he leads (opens in new tab)

   Also on Waikato Times (opens in new tab), The Post (opens in new tab)