The Labour leader has used a speech to an Auckland business group to put the Opposition’s stake in the ground when it comes to immigration.
It follows Prime Minister Christopher Luxon’s speech yesterday in which he said “social cohesion” was a priority and National would be releasing a “careful” policy about immigration.
In a speech billed as being about “the state of Auckland”, Labour leader Chris Hipkins kicked it off by reacting to Luxon’s comments.
“It’s now very clear that some political parties are revelling in the current political climate. They seek to play on fear, play on anxiety, and stoke division in order to carve out a vote share,” Hipkins told the Committee for Auckland breakfast event.
“Blaming migrants, blaming Māori, blaming the rainbow community, those with disabilities, the young, the old, the other. They choose blame as the easy way out, rather than choosing solutions.”
New Zealand First and Act have both released policies signalling they’d like to tighten immigration settings.
After the speech, Hipkins was asked if he was amplifying the immigration debate with his comments.
“We’re not talking about immigration,” he said.
“This Government has chosen to make immigration an issue because they are trying to blame migrants for their economic failings as a Government. It’s wrong and they shouldn’t get away with doing it.”
He insisted it’s not the issue New Zealanders want this election to be about.
“The three parties that make up the Government at the moment want to blame migrants for the economic situation the country is in.
“Migrants are not to blame for the country’s economic situation. Winston Peters, Shane Jones, we’ve seen outright racism from them. David Seymour jumped on the bandwagon over the weekend, and now Christopher Luxon’s doing the same. It is reprehensible. Migrants bring a huge amount to New Zealand.”
In Wednesday’s speech, Luxon had this message for the business community:” When it comes to immigration, when faced with a choice between social stability and your bottom line, I will choose the former every single time.”
Hipkins said his takeaway from that was Luxon was accusing businesses of relying on cheap migrant labour.
“He’s basically saying that immigration is undercutting New Zealanders in the labour market and that businesses are going to have to suck it up. I don’t think that’s the case.
“And for him to jump on that bandwagon is an abdication of his responsibilities to provide leadership to the country and what can be a very polarising issue.”
With the election now six months away, Hipkins acknowledged people were struggling in Auckland and around the country and said that was a far more important issue.
“Hard work doesn’t seem like enough anymore. For many, it feels like we’re stagnating, or worse going backwards. Those who were struggling to keep their heads above water, now feel like they’re drowning. Far too many people are just giving up and leaving.”
Quarter of the population lives in Auckland, but he said the city needs a “step change”, with rising unemployment and other issues holding it back.
“With the right settings, Auckland can be one of the best cities in the Asia-Pacific region ... where talent wants to live and our kids who live overseas want to come home to because they see their future here,” Hipkins said to murmurings of approval from the audience.
Later, he said Labour is committed to New Zealand being a multicultural country.
“In terms of social cohesion, my view very strongly, is that you create more social cohesion by finding common cause, by helping people to find a common path forward together, rather than creating division for the purpose of, you know, political advantage.”
Labour was decimated in the 2023 election in Auckland and it’s likely to be a key battleground this year.
Hipkins said he was determined to win voters back.
Asked about the lingering anger towards Labour from Aucklanders about the lengthy lockdowns, Hipkins denied it was an issue.
“Not one person, outside of Newstalk ZB,is continuing to raise that with us. Auckland is by and large focused on the future.
“We’re seeing a real mood shift in Auckland.”
Katie Bradford is a Senior Correspondent at the Herald. She has been a broadcast journalist for over 20 years and was based in the press gallery for 10 years. She specialises in politics, business and Auckland issues.