Chris Hipkins

The Honourable
Chris Hipkins
MP
47th Minister of Education
Assumed office
26 October 2017
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern
Preceded by Nikki Kaye
19th Minister of State Services
Assumed office
26 October 2017
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern
Preceded by Paula Bennett
11th Leader of the House
Assumed office
26 October 2017
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern
Preceded by Simon Bridges
Member of the New Zealand Parliament
for Rimutaka
Assumed office
8 November 2008
Preceded by Paul Swain
Majority 1,904 (2.24%)[1]
Personal details
Born (1978-09-05) 5 September 1978
Wellington, New Zealand
Political party Labour (since 1996)
Residence Upper Hutt, New Zealand
Alma mater Victoria University of Wellington
Profession Ministerial Advisor
Website chrishipkins.co.nz

Christopher John Hipkins (born 5 September 1978) is a member of the New Zealand House of Representatives. He is the Labour Party MP for Rimutaka, and was elected for the first time at the 2008 election. He serves as the Minister of Education for the current and Sixth Labour Government.

Early life

Hipkins was born in the Hutt Valley. He attended Waterloo Primary School, Hutt Intermediate and Hutt Valley Memorial College (later known as Petone College), where he was the Head Boy in 1996. He joined the Labour Party in the same year. Chris went on to complete a Bachelor of Arts majoring in Politics and Criminology at Victoria University of Wellington, where he was Student President in 2000 and 2001.[2] Chris also holds a National Certificate in Adult Education and Training, and a Postgraduate Certificate in Public Policy from Victoria University of Wellington.

Professional life

After graduating, Hipkins held a number of jobs, including working as a policy advisor for the Industry Training Federation, and as a training manager for Todd Energy in Taranaki. Hipkins also worked in Parliament as an advisor to Trevor Mallard and Helen Clark.[2]

Member of Parliament

New Zealand Parliament
Years Term Electorate List Party
2008–2011 49th Rimutaka 47 Labour
2011–2014 50th Rimutaka 30 Labour
2014–2017 51st Rimutaka 9 Labour
2017–present 52nd Rimutaka 7 Labour

Hipkins was selected to stand in the Labour seat of Rimutaka, following the retirement of sitting MP Paul Swain. Hipkins won the seat with a majority of 753.[1]

Following the election, Hipkins was appointed the Labour spokesperson for Internal Affairs.[3]

In May 2010, Hipkins' Electricity (Renewable Preference) Amendment Bill was drawn from the member's ballot.[4] It was defeated at its first reading in June.[4]

The 2011 General Elections saw Hipkins increase his winning margin in Rimutaka to 3,286.[5] Following that he became the Labour Party's Chief Whip. Hipkins also holds the State Services and Associate Education spokesperson roles.[6] In 2014 he increased his majority again to 6,664.[7]

In late 2015, Hipkins received veiled threats, including a death threat, for voicing his concerns about a billboard advertising guns.[8]

Hipkins was elected as a Cabinet Minister by the Labour Party caucus following Labour's formation of a government with New Zealand First and the Greens.[9] It was later announced that he will serve as Minister for Education.[10]

References

  1. 1 2 "Official Count Results – Rimutaka". ElectionsNZ. 22 November 2008. Retrieved 6 May 2010.
  2. 1 2 "Chris Hipkins – Profile". 12 December 2007. Retrieved 6 May 2010.
  3. ↑ "New Zealand Parliament – Hipkins, Chris". New Zealand Parliament. Retrieved 6 May 2010.
  4. 1 2 "Electricity (Renewable Preference) Amendment Bill". New Zealand Parliament. Retrieved 6 May 2010.
  5. ↑ Commission, New Zealand Electoral. "Official Count Results – Rimutaka". www.electionresults.govt.nz. Retrieved 26 September 2017.
  6. ↑ http://www.parliament.nz/en-NZ/MPP/MPs/MPs/8/b/9/50MP155641-Hipkins-Chris.htm%5Bdead+link%5D
  7. ↑ "Election Results – Rimutaka". Electoral Commission.
  8. ↑ "MP Chris Hipkins defiant over Gun City billboard in Taita, despite death threat". The Dominion Post. 3 December 2015.
  9. ↑ "Who's in? Who's out?". Radio NZ. 20 October 2017. Retrieved 20 October 2017.
  10. ↑ "Jacinda Ardern releases Cabinet lineup". Stuff. Retrieved 2017-10-25.
New Zealand Parliament
Preceded by
Paul Swain		 Member of Parliament for Rimutaka
2008–present		 Incumbent
Preceded by
Simon Bridges		 Leader of the House
2017 - present		 Incumbent
Party political offices
Preceded by
Rick Barker		 Senior Whip of the Labour Party
2011–2013
2014–2016		 Succeeded by
Sue Moroney
Preceded by
Sue Moroney		 Succeeded by
Kris Faafoi
Political offices
Preceded by
Nikki Kaye		 Minister of Education
2017 - present		 Incumbent
Preceded by
Paula Bennett		 Minister of State Services
2017 - present
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