Ryan Bridge: No Chippy for Winston

So, Winston has definitively ruled out working with Chris Hipkins.

Not Labour, but Hipkins. 

He had of course already pretty much done this earlier in the year after his State of Nation address, in which called the Labour leadership a bunch of liars and unreformed losers. 

But this is crystal clear now. He’s spoken to Thomas Coughlin at the Herald - it’s a firm no, thank you.

This is interesting for two reasons.

1) Winston is a political wizard and knows how to read the room and play the game. This is not a random outburst. This is a calculated decision based on the path he thinks will get New Zealand First back to the Treasury benches.

By virtue of ruling out Hipkins, assuming he doesn’t get rolled and replaced, Winston has reduced his bargaining power.

Which is not an outcome a kingmaker takes lightly. 

The key to his success on the campaign trail has always been as much about what he stands against as what he stands for - immigration and Treaty issues spring to mind.

He’s decided that in 2026, the punching bag will be a three-headed clown show marriage of the Greens, Labour, and Te Pati Māori.

He’s read the room and picked his side. 

In 2023, Winston ruled out Labour before Chippy definitively ruled Winston out. He has yet to do the same for 2026. 

He’s now missed his chance, and any moral high found that went with it.

Remember, Hipkins must appeal to a base that despises the anti-woke agenda Winston peddles.

This year alone he’s labelled him a pale version of Donald Trump, a conspiracy theorist, and spokesman for the tobacco lobby.

Hipkins’ failure to rule out working with him undermines the high horse he canters around the Parliament.

His protestations were sounding a bit hollow.

The question for Hipkins this morning: are you willing to rule out working in Winston given he's already done the same to you?

Or is there a wee small hope in your head that he might just change his mind and under MMP, an open door is is worth walking through, even if it leads you to the across to the dark side?

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Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:00):
Winston has definitively ruled out working with Labour, not just
Chippy but Labour. He had, of course, already pretty much
done this earlier in the year, after his State of
the Nation address, in which he called the Labour leadership
a bunch of liars and unreformed losers. Remember that, But
this is crystal clear out. He's spoken to Thomas Coglan
at the Herald and its affirm Nah No, he's holding

(00:21):
up that sign. This is interesting for two reasons. One,
Winston's a political wizard. We know this. He knows how
to read the room and play the game. This is
not a random outburst from Winnie. This is a calculated
decision based on the path he thinks will get New
Zealand First back to the Treasury benches in twenty twenty six.
By virtue of ruling them out, he has reduced his

(00:42):
bargaining power, which is not an outcome that a king
maker like him takes lightly. The key to his success
on the campaign trail has always been as much about
what he stands against as what he stands for. Think immigration,
think treaty issues. He's decided that in twenty twenty six,
the punching will be a three headed clown show marriage

(01:03):
of the Greens, Labor and to Party Mardi. He's read
the room and he's picked his side. In twenty twenty three,
Winston ruled out Labor before Chippy definitively ruled out Winston.
Remember that our Chippy has yet to do the same
for twenty twenty six, and he's now missed his chance
and any moral high ground that went with it. Remember,

(01:26):
Hipkins must appeal to a base that despises the anti
woke agenda that Winston pedals. This year alone, he's labeled
him a pale version of Donald Trump, a conspiracy theorist,
a spokesman for the tobacco lobby, you name it. And
Hipkins's failure to rule out working with him kind of
undermines the high horse that he canters around the Parliament
on his approtestations now will sound rather hollow. So it's interesting,

(01:51):
isn't it, Winston, not just for Chippy but for Labor.
It is a hard no more. From early edition with
Ryan Bridge. Listen live to News Talks at b from
five am weekdays, or follow the podcast on iHeartRadio.