Chris Hipkins: podcast appearances and interviews

Christopher John Hipkins, born on 5 September 1978, is a New Zealand politician and leader of the Labour Party. He has served as the leader of the opposition since November 2023 and was the 41st prime minister of New Zealand from January to November 2023. Hipkins has been a member of Parliament for Remutaka since the 2008 general election, representing the Labour Party. Raised in the Hutt Valley in Wellington, he became actively involved in student politics while attending Victoria University of Wellington, where he was elected president of VUWSA in 2000 and 2001. Since entering Parliament, Hipkins has held multiple ministerial portfolios, including education, health, public service, police, and the leader of the House during Labour's time in government. Notably, as minister of health, he oversaw the government's response to the COVID-19 pandemic, and served as minister for COVID-19 response from 2020 to 2022. Following Jacinda Ardern's resignation, Hipkins was elected unopposed as leader of the Labour Party in January 2023 and was subsequently appointed prime minister. His tenure as prime minister was challenged by natural disasters, including the Auckland Anniversary Weekend floods and Cyclone Gabrielle. After Labour's defeat in the 2023 general election, Hipkins transitioned to the role of opposition leader.