On the trail: Hipkins goes shopping for votes in New Plymouth

Chris Hipkins hit the provinces for the first time this campaign, visiting New Plymouth to tour a state house under construction, shop at an independent green grocer and hold a standing-room-only public meeting. The Labour Party leader was well-received wherever he went – perhaps the biggest frustration locals experienced was struggling to get past journalists and communications staff to do their weekly shop. Hipkins, who considers himself a DIYer, clearly enjoyed the construction site visit the most.

He swapped stories with builders about his own home projects, including ripping out and redoing his deck over summer. Always the politician, however, he also slipped in some lines about Labour’s plan to build 3000 more state houses and extend the Apprenticeship Boost scheme.