Chris Hipkins has ruled out working with New Zealand First and the ACT Party as coalition partners after the 2023 general election, saying the opposition parties are trying to divide Aotearoa.
Hipkins made the announcement from Parliament on Sunday and said he understood it's "likely" Labour will need to work with other parties to win October's election after a string of poor poll results.
Hipkins said over recent weeks he has weighed up which party's policies and beliefs align with his and Labour. He said the last few years have been tough for New Zealanders and believes "unity" is the way forward rather than "division" which "isn't a path to progress".
The Prime Minister revealed Labour will not work with Winston Peters and described his New Zealand First party as a "force for instability and chaos".
"I will not be seeking to divide New Zealand communities," he said.
"I've also considered how I intend to lead that I am successful in securing a full term as Prime Minister. In this campaign, I will promote the message of unity, and I intend to work with parties and leaders who seem to do the same."
Hipkins said what Peters has been publicly saying makes it impossible for Labour to align with New Zealand First.
"The rhetoric I'm hearing from Winston Peters in this election means I just don't see any compatibility with my vision for an inclusive, progressive and prosperous society," Hipkins said on Sunday.
"Winston Peters and New Zealand First are a force for instability and chaos, and that's the last thing the country needs right now."
Hipkins also ruled out working with the ACT Party and hit out at party leader David Seymour for his savage comments about the Ministry for Pacific Peoples.
Seymour said, "we'd send a guy called Guy Fawkes in there [the Ministry for Pacific Peoples] and it'd be all over".
Hipkins said Seymour's comments "are not a laughing matter".
"David Seymour has also made chilling comments about our Pasifika communities, and claimed those to simply be a joke. I don't think it's a laughing matter," he said.
However, Hipkins said Labour and the Greens can work constructively and share a common direction.
Hipkins also confirmed Labour would work with Te Pāti Māori, saying they don't agree on everything, "but I'm confident that we do have enough shared values and goals to work together".
'Coalition of Fear'
National Party leader Christopher Luxon has yet to rule out working with New Zealand First. Hipkins described the grouping of ACT, New Zealand First and National as a "Coalition of Fear".
"In fact, the National, ACT, New Zealand First coalition of cuts, chaos and confusion hold a compilation of views I think would alienate large sections of our society. Not just economically, but to their sense of belonging too," he said.
"The National Party has many MPs and candidates who want to roll back women's rights. Members of their caucus celebrated the US Supreme Court decision to roll back a women's right to choose."
Last year, MP Simon O'Connor posted on Facebook saying it was a "good day" after abortion rights in the US were infamously axed. The post was later removed.
Earlier this week, Luxon stripped MP Tim van de Molen of all his portfolios after the powerful Privileges Committee ruled he had acted in a threatening manner toward Labour MP Shanan Halbert.
"It's no surprise, given they have people in their party who intimidate and threaten other MPs and who think it's funny to place a women MP's face onto a toilet seat," Hipkins said.
"I voted to legalise abortion in our first term, and I'll continue to defend a women's right to choose."
Last year, Peters ruled out working with Labour unless it dropped what he referred to as "racist policies".
Hipkins described New Zealand as "the best little country on earth" in his speech, and said he'll bring Aotearoa "together".
With the election just 47 days away, he claimed voters have a serious choice ahead of them.
"I'm asking New Zealanders to think about what type of leadership you want and what kind of country you want for your children, your friends your workmates and loved ones," Hipkins said.
"One that winds the clock backwards on workers, on women, on the environment and on inclusion. Or one that keeps moving forward, together. I will bring New Zealanders together.
"I'm a leader who's in for you, whether you're Maōri, Pacifica, Pakeha, gay, straight, born here, migrated here, a man, a woman, trans, young, old, or different in your own way."
