COVID-19 Responses

Prime Minister Chris Hipkins says he doesn’t see his kids “anywhere near enough” and is grateful for their sacrifice so he can hold the country’s top job.

Speaking on Newstalk ZB this morning, he said he made an effort to treasure what time he did have with them, leaving his phone in the next room, but he recognised the sacrifice of his two young children.

“They ultimately make a big sacrifice for me to be able to do the job that I do.”

It comes as Hipkins has weighed in on Te Whatu Ora’s publishing of incorrect emergency department wait-time data, saying it was “unacceptable”, while maintaining that mistakes do happen.

Hipkins joined Newstalk ZB’s Kerre Woodham for a one-hour session, including taking listeners’ questions.

“My feet have barely hit the ground,” Hipkins told Woodham about how it’s been going as Prime Minister since Jacinda Ardern resigned earlier this year.

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