Housing and police the big issues
Rimutaka MP Chris Hipkins will look for a fourth-consecutive term in Parliament.
Hipkins, 38, holds the Hutt Valley seat after winning 53 per cent of the vote and a 6664 majority over first-time National candidate Lewis Holden in 2014.
‘‘We’ll run an active and visible campaign. I’ve never taken anything for granted and I don’t intend to start doing so now,’’ Hipkins said.
Centred on Upper Hutt city, the Rimutaka electorate also includes Avalon, Naenae and Stokes Valley to the south.
‘‘Housing is a big issue in Rimutaka, the quantity and affordability of rental housing in particular. People are willing to pay market rents but they just cannot find a place and this is just reflecting the wider regional shortage.’’
Local policing continues to be a serious concern.
‘‘The local has been taken out of policing,’’ Hipkins said. ‘‘In my first term I opposed the amalgamation of the existing two stations into the one Hutt Valley operation but it went ahead. And we also had the forced closure of the Upper Hutt court so there are a cluster of issues here concerning access to justice.
‘‘People feel there is less of a police presence [in Upper Hutt] and the fact that they feel that means those concerns are valid.’’
Hipkins became a first-time father, to Charlie, in October. Juggling parenthood with his parliamentary work has created new challenges.
‘‘I’m still working just as hard as an MP but I’ve had to prioritise a bit more and stop worrying about trivial things.’’
Ranked six in Labour’s shadow cabinet and the party’s education spokesperson, Hipkins is optimistic about the election.
‘‘The National Government has run out of steam and ideas when it comes to the really big issues like fixing the housing crisis and easing the enormous financial pressure families find themselves under. We’ve been working hard to regain voters trust. I think it’s going to be a very exciting campaign,’’ he said.
The National Party candidate for Rimutaka has not been decided but Holden said he would not contest the nomination.
‘‘I had always planned to stand but the recent premature birth of my second child has meant my wife and I have had a pretty difficult time of it and I don’t feel I can take the time away from my family responsibilities.’’