The leader of the centre-left Labor Party says he developed cold symptoms on Saturday and tested positive for Covid-19 on Sunday after a rough night. In order not to infect anyone during the election campaign, he has decided to go into isolation for a few days until he tests negative.
Hipkins succeeded Jacinda Ardern in January. In the polls, Labor is well behind the centre-right National Party led by Christopher Luxon. The New Zealand elections are on October 14.