Chris Hipkins faces voter concerns during Mt Albert market walkabout

Labour leader Chris Hipkins encountered a swaying pedestrian bridge and voters with employment concerns during a campaign walkabout at Wesley Market on Tuesday morning. The bridge, located over a waterway at the Mt Roskill Memorial Reserve, moved significantly due to the weight of Hipkins, police, staff, and media. While Hipkins continued walking, those behind him reached for stability.

During the event in the Mt Albert electorate, Hipkins spoke with Thara Jaelene-Carpio, who described the retail sector as "looking pretty sad out there". Jaelene-Carpio, who had been made redundant in February, told Hipkins she and her partner had struggled with rent and had used KiwiSaver funds to stay afloat. Hipkins responded by stating Labour wants to get the economy "moving again" and noted the loss of approximately 48,000 jobs over the previous three years.

The walkabout also included local MP Helen White, who is contesting the seat in a race described as a tight fight against National's Melissa Lee. White noted that a recent poll placed her fourth, behind Lee, the Greens' Ricardo Menendez-March, and Opportunity leader Qiulae Wong. Auckland Central candidate Naisi Chen accompanied the group, providing Mandarin translations for Hipkins.

Where reports differ

• One report identifies a voter as Sara, while another identifies her as Thara Jaelene-Carpio
• One report states the voter was leaning towards the Greens, while the other does not mention her political leaning

Compiled from reports by Newsroom and NZ Herald.