Chris Hipkins won by 8,859 votes in 2023 — 4,430 voters switching to a challenger would have flipped Remutaka.
In the news
Coverage naming Remutaka or Chris, from our tracked feeds.
No coverage naming Remutaka or its MP yet in our tracked feeds — this fills in automatically as outlets report on the race.
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 — 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.
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 24 June 2026.
No government bill in charge, members' bill passed, or members' bill currently in the ballot for Chris this term — checked against the official record, not 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 to formally demand 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 accountable between bills — especially 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 real, numbers-based picture of what they're actually watching on your behalf — worth comparing against what they say they prioritise.
2,731written questions asked since the 2023 election
Where it's gone — by Minister
Prime Minister
1460
Minister responsible for Ministerial Services
482
Deputy Prime Minister
326
Minister for National Security and Intelligence
322
+ 141 more across other Ministers.
Recent questions and replies, in Chris's and the Minister's own words
To the Prime Minister · 2026-07-06
"Further to his answer to written question 29418 (2026): on what date did his Chief of Staff become aware that Hon Shane Jones had travelled to Canada in March 2025 via business class tickets and not via the premium economy tickets noted in his Cabinet Paper ‘Proposed Travel Overseas: Hon Shane Jones – March 2025”?"
Reply not yet due or not yet published.
To the Prime Minister · 2026-07-06
"What aides-mémoire, briefings, memos, notes, reports, or any other advice, if any, has the Minister or their Office received during the week beginning 29 June 2026, listed by agency, title and date received?"
Reply not yet due or not yet published.
To the Prime Minister · 2026-07-06
"Further to his answer to written question 29418 (2026): was this approval for business class flights or premium economy flights?"
Reply not yet due or not yet published.
To the Minister for Science, Innovation and Technology · 2026-06-23
"Did the GNS Science official who accompanied Hon Shane Jones on his ministerial visit to Canada in March 2025 stay at the Intercontinental Toronto Centre Hotel and if so, what were the dates of their stay?"
Reply: As Minister of Science, Innovation and Technology, I have no responsibility for any government departments. With regard to agencies, Crown entities and other bodies under the Science, Innovation and Technology portfolio, I am advised that no GNS Science (now Earth Sciences New Zealand) staff stayed at the Intercontinental Toronto Centre Hotel.
To the Prime Minister · 2026-06-22
"What papers, if any, did the Minister take to Cabinet during the week beginning 15 June 2026, by title and date?"
Reply: In my capacity as Prime Minister, I have not presented papers to Cabinet within the specified timeframe.
