Chris Hipkins holds first public meeting of campaign, meeting supporters and a cat

Thomas CoughlanPolitical Editor·NZ Herald·9 Sep, 2026 09:23 AM5 mins to read‌Labour leader Chris Hipkins addresses a public meeting in Naenae on Wednesday night as part of his election campaign. Photo / Thomas CoughlanLabour leader Chris Hipkins addresses a public meeting in Naenae on Wednesday night as part of his election campaign. Photo / Thomas CoughlanLabour leader Chris Hipkins kicked off his election-year tour of public meetings to a packed crowd of about 150 people in Naenae, in his electorate of Remutaka on Wednesday evening – one man even brought a well-behaved cat, Belladonna, who sat in his arms for most of the meeting.