'Still a tight race': Hipkins remains hopeful despite dropping poll numbers

Labour leader Chris Hipkins has announced a five-point economic plan that will help New Zealand to shape, what he describes as, "a clean, green economic brand in the future".

The plan includes a policy to invest $100 million into agritech, as well as an election promise to visit India within 100 days to pave the way for a new trade deal.

Speaking to 531pi's Pacific Mornings, Hipkins says supporting Pacific economies adapt to the impact of climate change will also be a priority.

"Climate change is front and centre of a lot of the conversations that we're having with our Pacific neighbours and it will continue to be. And I certainly think there's a role to play for New Zealand in climate mitigation and adaption."

When asked whether New Zealand has become a minor player in the Pacific, Hipkins says seeing the likes of the United States and China increase their engagement is a positive, but New Zealand also needs to continue its investment - and not just through aid. And if re-elected, Hipkins says attending the Pacific Islands Forum Leaders meeting in November in the Cook Islands will be a priority for his Government.

"We're always looking at what more we could do. That's just with development aid and also in areas like policing development and national security."

Poll reaction

Regarding the latest Roy Morgan poll showing National being able to form a new government, while Labour's support dropped to 24 per cent, Hipkins says it is still a tight race.

And he hopes Pacific communities continue to back Labour as they have done in the past.

"I've never taken the support from the Pacific community for granted," he told Pacific Mornings host Levi Matautia-Morgan.​

"I'm not too fussed about the Roy Morgan poll as they've generally been the most volatile of the polls. At the last election they were quite a long way off.

"National's probably got its nose in front, but the campaign is just winding up and we've got an opportunity to get out there and talk about what we're going to do."

Watch the full interview below or go to 531pi's Facebook page​ to like, share and comment.