Chris Hipkins
Chris Hipkins | |
|---|---|
 | |
| 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 | 5 September 1978 Wellington, New Zealand |
| Political party | Labour (since 1996) |
| Residence(s) | 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
| 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
- ^ a b "Official Count Results – Rimutaka". ElectionsNZ. 22 November 2008. Retrieved 6 May 2010.
- ^ a b "Chris Hipkins – Profile". 12 December 2007. Retrieved 6 May 2010.
- ^ "New Zealand Parliament – Hipkins, Chris". New Zealand Parliament. Retrieved 6 May 2010.
- ^ a b "Electricity (Renewable Preference) Amendment Bill". New Zealand Parliament. Retrieved 6 May 2010.
- ^ Commission, New Zealand Electoral. "Official Count Results – Rimutaka". www.electionresults.govt.nz. Retrieved 26 September 2017.
- ^ http://www.parliament.nz/en-NZ/MPP/MPs/MPs/8/b/9/50MP155641-Hipkins-Chris.htm[dead link]
- ^ "Election Results – Rimutaka". Electoral Commission.
- ^ "MP Chris Hipkins defiant over Gun City billboard in Taita, despite death threat". The Dominion Post. 3 December 2015.
- ^ "Who's in? Who's out?". Radio NZ. 20 October 2017. Retrieved 20 October 2017.
- ^ "Jacinda Ardern releases Cabinet lineup". Stuff. Retrieved 25 October 2017.
External links
- New Zealand Labour Party MPs
- Members of the New Zealand House of Representatives
- New Zealand MPs for Hutt Valley electorates
- Living people
- 1978 births
- Victoria University of Wellington alumni
- Victoria University of Wellington Students' Association presidents
- 21st-century New Zealand politicians
- Candidates in the New Zealand general election, 2017
- Members of the Cabinet of New Zealand
- New Zealand education ministers