Does PM Luxon have cut-through with Kiwi-Indians? Hipkins weighs in
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has attended temples and Indian community events, including Diwali, Holi, and Sikh Games, where he has posed for selfies and even has made jalebis. On whether he has established a connection within the Indian community, Labour leader Chris Hipkins says it is ultimately for the community to decide, adding that "National Party talks a big game."
In an interview with The Indian Weekender, Hipkins says the National Party has largely failed to deliver on its promises to these communities.
"Well, the National Party made big promises to all of our communities, at the last election, including the Indian community, and they haven't addressed many of those issues," Hipkins says.
“They haven't fulfilled many of those promises that they made."
“They promised that they were going to fix the cost of living. The cost of living is worse. They said they were going to sort everything to do with crime. Actually, many of the retailers, mainly the small businesses that I speak to, say nothing is any better now than it was three years ago.”
Hipkins also criticised National’s family boost visa policy, saying it has left many families “shut out of being able to bring their family members to New Zealand.”
The Labour leader who recently delivered State of the Nation speech on 23 February 2026, highlighted the party’s priorities for jobs, health, housing, and the cost of living.
“We need to turn the country's overall fortunes around,” he said.
Hipkins emphasises the Labour Party is ready for the 2026 General Election and aims to offer voters a “real, credible alternative” to the current government.
“Labour’s in a very good position as we move into the next election,” Hipkins told The Indian Weekender.
“We've got a re-energised team. There's some new faces in our line-up.”
Opposition leaders, however, criticised Hipkins’ speech. Nationals’ deputy leader said it read like a “lump of jelly” filled with sentiment but no concrete plans.
New Zealand First leader Winston Peters called it one of the "most boring State of the Nation speeches in recorded history," while ACT leader David Seymour described it as "featherweight."
Responding to the criticism, Hipkins emphasised the speech as a “very mature and adult reflection on the state that New Zealand's in at the moment and some of the things we need to do.”
Hipkins says that Labour does not engage in diverting attention from the major issues.
“While Winston Peters is too busy attacking migrants, attacking Māori, attacking anybody else that he can…the Rainbow community,in order to distract attention from the government's woeful economic track record.
David Seymour quite often does something very similar where he tries to pick off minority groups and attack them.”
I'm not interested in that sort of politics,” he said.
To watch the full interview, click here.
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has attended temples and Indian community events, including Diwali, Holi, and Sikh Games, where he has posed for selfies and even has made jalebis. On whether he has established a connection within the Indian community, Labour leader Chris Hipkins says it is...
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has attended temples and Indian community events, including Diwali, Holi, and Sikh Games, where he has posed for selfies and even has made jalebis. On whether he has established a connection within the Indian community, Labour leader Chris Hipkins says it is ultimately for the community to decide, adding that "National Party talks a big game."
In an interview with The Indian Weekender, Hipkins says the National Party has largely failed to deliver on its promises to these communities.
"Well, the National Party made big promises to all of our communities, at the last election, including the Indian community, and they haven't addressed many of those issues," Hipkins says.
“They haven't fulfilled many of those promises that they made."
“They promised that they were going to fix the cost of living. The cost of living is worse. They said they were going to sort everything to do with crime. Actually, many of the retailers, mainly the small businesses that I speak to, say nothing is any better now than it was three years ago.”
Hipkins also criticised National’s family boost visa policy, saying it has left many families “shut out of being able to bring their family members to New Zealand.”
The Labour leader who recently delivered State of the Nation speech on 23 February 2026, highlighted the party’s priorities for jobs, health, housing, and the cost of living.
“We need to turn the country's overall fortunes around,” he said.
Hipkins emphasises the Labour Party is ready for the 2026 General Election and aims to offer voters a “real, credible alternative” to the current government.
“Labour’s in a very good position as we move into the next election,” Hipkins told The Indian Weekender.
“We've got a re-energised team. There's some new faces in our line-up.”
Opposition leaders, however, criticised Hipkins’ speech. Nationals’ deputy leader said it read like a “lump of jelly” filled with sentiment but no concrete plans.
New Zealand First leader Winston Peters called it one of the "most boring State of the Nation speeches in recorded history," while ACT leader David Seymour described it as "featherweight."
Responding to the criticism, Hipkins emphasised the speech as a “very mature and adult reflection on the state that New Zealand's in at the moment and some of the things we need to do.”
Hipkins says that Labour does not engage in diverting attention from the major issues.
“While Winston Peters is too busy attacking migrants, attacking Māori, attacking anybody else that he can…the Rainbow community,in order to distract attention from the government's woeful economic track record.
David Seymour quite often does something very similar where he tries to pick off minority groups and attack them.”
I'm not interested in that sort of politics,” he said.
To watch the full interview, click here.
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