Scoop's Meet The MPs Project: Chris Hipkins

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• Scoop's Meet The MPs Project: Labour MP and Rimutaka representative Chris Hipkins talks to Denise Garland about his political life and aspirations. He discusses how he got into politics and then into Parliament, and what he thinks of life as an MP one year into the job.

Mr Hipkins identifies his political role models, both recent politicians and a few historical figures, and explains why people like Robert Muldoon are important to New Zealand’s political landscape.

Finally, Mr Hipkins explains what he hopes to achieve as an MP and the real reason he got into politics – to improve New Zealand’s social services, particularly around education.

It is not unusual to see Rimutaka MP Chris Hipkins arriving at the Beehive for a day’s work wearing a bike helmet and sneakers.

The 31-year-old Labour MP is a passionate cyclist, and often leaves his home in Wallaceville, Upper Hutt with an hour to spare so he can make the trip to Parliament by bike.

It is no secret that Mr Hipkins is an outdoor enthusiast who enjoys swimming, skiing and tramping whenever he can.

But his biggest passion is politics.

Mr Hipkins was born in Wellington and raised in the Hutt Valley - a place he loves and is dedicated to.

It was as Head Boy at Hutt Valley Memorial College in 1996 where Mr Hipkins got his first real taste of politics, when Trevor Mallard visited the school.

His involvement with Mr Mallard encouraged him to join the Labour Party the same year, and when he attended Victoria University he jumped at the chance to become involved with student politics.

Mr Hipkins was involved in the student executive for four years while he studied Politics and Criminology, but his involvement in the student body was not all smooth sailing.

“I was involved in a student protest that meant that I got arrested the first year that I was ever a student,” he said.

“That helps to consolidate your views somewhat.”

After completing his Bachelor of Arts, Mr Hipkins worked in the oil and gas industry before getting a job working for Trevor Mallard.

Although he has taken a few breaks from the political scene over the years, Mr Hipkins has quickly moved up the ranks in the Labour Party, and was working in the Prime Minister’s office when Labour MP Paul Swain announced he would not re-run for the Rimutaka seat in the 2008 election.

Having lived in the Hutt Valley for most of his life, it was only fitting that Mr Hipkins should be Labour’s candidate for Rimutaka in the election, a seat which he won by around 750 votes.

Mr Hipkins is enjoying the new role of being an MP, and said he particularly likes interacting with the locals in his electorate.

“Being out and about and meeting people and talking to people... I find that incredibly grounding,” he said.

Q And A

1. What is your view on the decision taken by the Government in relation to the smacking referendum in terms of what it says about NZ democracy?

I think it highlights how complex issues can become very confused when people resort to simplistic slogans rather than reasoned argument. I think the government is taking a sensible approach that recognises that good parents don’t want to feel like criminals for lightly smacking their children but nor do we want to create a loop hole that would allow those who thrash their kids to get off the hook.

2. What is your view on the merits of MMP vs FPP? Should there be another referendum on the subject and what is your preferred outcome?

I think MMP has led to greater diversity in parliament and has made the government of the day more accountable. The government can no longer ram through whatever legislation they want to without reference to the smaller parties and I think that’s a good thing. I would like to see a greater number of electorate MPs because I think MMP electorates are pretty big and can be really difficult to serve effectively. I’m relaxed about another referendum. I would vote to retain MMP.

3. Name a dream team of seven members of Parliament - people who you think exemplify how an MP should conduct him/herself. Your list of seven can only include three members of your own party.

I would happily have any Labour MPs in my dream team, but I particularly admire David Parker, Maryan Street and Kelvin Davis. I’ve developed a good rapport with some of the Greens and I particularly admire Jeanette Fitzsimons, Kevin Hague and Sue Bradford.

Denise Garland is a journalism student at Massey University

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