Safe battleground

Remutaka

General electorate

—

days to election day

What it takes to flip this seat

Chris Hipkins won by 8,859 votes in 2023. 4,430 voters switching to NZ First would have flipped Remutaka.

In the news

Coverage naming Remutaka or Chris, from our tracked feeds.

The roster

The defender's record, and who's confirmed to challenge them in 2026.

Won Remutaka by a majority of 8,859 in 2023, making it a safe seat.

Chris Hipkins is the Member of Parliament for Remutaka and leader of the New Zealand Labour Party. First elected in 2008, he has served across six Parliaments (49th–54th). He became Labour leader and Prime Minister in January 2023, and has been Leader of the Opposition since the November 2023 election.

Full MP profile

What Chris has prioritised this term

Official roles, sourced from parliament.nz.

Spokesperson roles

Leader of the Opposition
Labour Party Leader
Opposition Spokesperson — National Security and Intelligence
Opposition Spokesperson — Ministerial Services

Select committees

Intelligence and Security

Legislative activity this term

From Parliament's official bills record, as at 16 September 2026.

No government bill in charge, members' bill passed, or members' bill currently in the ballot for Chris this term. We checked that against the official record, so it isn't a gap in our data.

Written questions to Ministers this term

What is this, and why does it matter to you?

Any MP can put a written question to a Minister, demanding information on the record. The Minister must reply, usually within days. It costs nothing and needs no debate, which makes it the main day-to-day tool MPs use to hold the government to account between bills. It matters most for opposition MPs, who can't pass laws but can still force information into the open. Which Ministers an MP questions most, below, is a numbers-based picture of what they watch on your behalf, and it's worth comparing against what they say they prioritise.

2,969written questions asked since the 2023 election

Where it's gone, by Minister

Prime Minister

1544

Minister responsible for Ministerial Services

509

Deputy Prime Minister

Battlegrounds map 2026 election

2023 result and margin: Electoral Commission. 2026 candidates are added only once officially confirmed — never assumed.

Read 5 recent questions & replies, in Chris’s and the Minister’s own words

To the Prime Minister · 2026-09-10

"How many invoices for international mobile roaming charges in connection with the 55th Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting held in Koror, Palau, from 31 August to 3 September 2026, if any, remained unbilled or unpaid as at 9 September 2026?"

Reply not yet due or not yet published.

To the Prime Minister · 2026-09-10

"How much, if any, was spent by his Office on prepaid international roaming products, local SIM cards or eSIMs, or portable wi-fi or satellite communications devices for use in connection with the 55th Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting held in Koror, Palau, from 31 August to 3 September 2026?"

Reply not yet due or not yet published.

To the Prime Minister · 2026-09-10

"Which agency, department, or appropriation, if any, met the cost of international mobile roaming charges in connection with attendance at the 55th Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting held in Koror, Palau, from 31 August to 3 September 2026?"

Reply not yet due or not yet published.

To the Prime Minister · 2026-08-31

"What papers, if any, did the Minister take to Cabinet during the week beginning 24 August 2026, by title and date?"

Reply: I refer the member to my response to Written Parliamentary Question 38075 (2026).

To the Prime Minister · 2026-08-31

"What aides-mémoire, briefings, memos, notes, reports, or any other advice, if any, has the Minister or their Office received during the week beginning 24 August 2026, listed by agency, title and date received?"

Reply: I refer the member to my response to Written Parliamentary Question 38068 (2026).