Podcasts Other The Mike Hosking Breakfast Chris Hipkins: Outgoing Prime Minister on preparing to exit government and the Israel Gaza conflict

Chris Hipkins: Outgoing Prime Minister on preparing to exit government and the Israel Gaza conflict

Published: Oct. 30, 2023, 7:03 p.m.

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Labour leader Chris Hipkins said he has been spending a lot of time lately packing boxes as he prepares to depart office.\\xa0

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\\u201cMy boxes are all packed, we\\u2019re ready to go,\\u201d Hipkins told Newstalk ZB\\u2019s Mike Hosking.\\xa0

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Hipkins said the transition phase is a little bit frustrating.\\xa0

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\\u201cI can\\u2019t really embrace the position of opposition, and I can\\u2019t embrace the position of Government,\\u201d said Hipkins.\\xa0

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\\u201cWe\\u2019re just here keeping the fire burning.\\u201d\\xa0

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He said yesterday\\u2019s cabinet meeting only touched on the Israel and Gaza conflict and what New Zealand\\u2019s stance is.\\xa0

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He said the position was that Israel needs to comply with international humanitarian law, but they \\u201cabsolutely\\u201d had the right to defend themselves against Hamas.\\xa0

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Hipkins said the country\\u2019s stance is very similar to Australia\\u2019s which was shared in a joint letter from the country\\u2019s former Prime Ministers.\\xa0

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He said he would have no problem if New Zealand\\u2019s former Prime Minister group wanted to form a statement as well.\\xa0

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