New Zealand Labour Party leader Chris Hipkins speaks at the New Zealand Labour Party election night event at the Upper Hutt Cosmopolitan Club in Upper Hutt on November 7, 2026. The outcome of New Zealand's election remained too close to call as early results began to roll in on November 7, with none of the parties expected to secure a majority after a campaign dominated by worries over rising costs of living and the economy. (Photo by Yuxin Liu / AFP via Getty Images)

New Zealand Labour Party leader Chris Hipkins speaks at the New Zealand Labour Party election night event at the Upper Hutt Cosmopolitan Club in Upper Hutt on November 7, 2026. The outcome of New Zealand's election remained too close to call as early results began to roll in on November 7, with none of the parties expected to secure a majority after a campaign dominated by worries over rising costs of living and the economy. (Photo by Yuxin Liu / AFP via Getty Images)

New Zealand Labour Party leader Chris Hipkins (R) speaks at the New Zealand Labour Party election night event at the Upper Hutt Cosmopolitan Club in Upper Hutt on November 7, 2026. The outcome of New Zealand's election remained too close to call as early results began to roll in on November 7, with none of the parties expected to secure a majority after a campaign dominated by worries over rising costs of living and the economy. (Photo by Yuxin Liu / AFP via Getty Images)

New Zealand Labour Party leader Chris Hipkins takes part in the New Zealand Labour Party election night event at the Upper Hutt Cosmopolitan Club in Upper Hutt on November 7, 2026. The outcome of New Zealand's election remained too close to call as early results began to roll in on November 7, with none of the parties expected to secure a majority after a campaign dominated by worries over rising costs of living and the economy. (Photo by Yuxin Liu / AFP via Getty Images)

New Zealand Labour Party leader Chris Hipkins takes part in the New Zealand Labour Party election night event at the Upper Hutt Cosmopolitan Club in Upper Hutt on November 7, 2026. The outcome of New Zealand's election remained too close to call as early results began to roll in on November 7, with none of the parties expected to secure a majority after a campaign dominated by worries over rising costs of living and the economy. (Photo by Yuxin Liu / AFP via Getty Images)

New Zealand Labour Party leader Chris Hipkins takes part in the New Zealand Labour Party election night event at the Upper Hutt Cosmopolitan Club in Upper Hutt on November 7, 2026. The outcome of New Zealand's election remained too close to call as early results began to roll in on November 7, with none of the parties expected to secure a majority after a campaign dominated by worries over rising costs of living and the economy. (Photo by Yuxin Liu / AFP via Getty Images)

New Zealand Labour Party leader Chris Hipkins speaks at the New Zealand Labour Party election night event at the Upper Hutt Cosmopolitan Club in Upper Hutt on November 7, 2026. The outcome of New Zealand's election remained too close to call as early results began to roll in on November 7, with none of the parties expected to secure a majority after a campaign dominated by worries over rising costs of living and the economy. (Photo by Yuxin Liu / AFP via Getty Images)

Labour Party leader Chris Hipkins reacts as he visits a steel framing business while campaigning for election in Paraparaumu, New Zealand, Wednesday, Nov. 4, 2026. (AP Photo/Charlotte Graham-McLay)