Labour to announce cost-of-living policy this week, Chris Hipkins says

9:18 am today

Labour leader Chris Hipkins.

Photo: RNZ / Louis Dunham

Labour will announce a cost of living relief policy on Wednesday, leader Chris Hipkins has confirmed.

One of the party's new candidates Kingi Kiriona on Monday mistakenly told media the party would be making a tax relief election campaign policy. Hipkins followed up saying Kiriona was learning the wonders of press conferences and had got "a little ahead".

But Hipkins told Morning Report on Tuesday a policy announcement was imminent.

"There will be some cost of living relief coming from Labour, and we'll be talking about that in the coming days," Hipkins said.

He confirmed the policy would be announced on Wednesday.

Hipkins said the already announced capital gains tax was the party's main tax policy, but was still looking at things like interest deductibility on rental policies.

The heat has been on Labour for a lack of policy announcements in an election year.

Hipkins has been adamant it was important to wait until they could delve into the Budget and see the state of the books, to ensure they could cost up their policies.

On Monday the party released its candidate list, and one newcomer earned the ire of Police Commissioner Richard Chambers, after failing to flag early he intended to run for Parliament.

Superintendent Rakesh Naidoo was named at number 13, making it very likely he would get into Parliament.

Chambers said Naidoo's role was now untenable, and he should have told him earlier of his political intentions.

The police manual said someone of Naidoo's rank had to inform the commissioner of that.

Hipkins told Morning Report Naidoo had followed process by informing his manager.

"I think when you tell your boss, and your boss says, 'Okay, I'll pass that on to the commissioner,' I think you can assume that that means that you've done your duty of making sure the commissioner's been informed."

He said Labour had been speaking with Naidoo for a couple of months, and had agreed to a shortened selection process for him if he chose to stand.

"He wouldn't have to confirm with us until quite late in the piece that he was intending to proceed with a candidacy because he was very conscious, and we were very conscious, that the political neutrality of the police is incredibly important - and I think he's acted with the utmost integrity here."

Police Commissioner Richard Chambers and superintendent Rakesh Naidoo.

Photo: RNZ

Naidoo had told his manager as soon as he began the official candidacy process, which was last week, Hipkins said.

Chambers said the police manual required staff intending to stand for public office to advise of their intentions as early as possible. He indicated Naidoo would now be required to take leave.

"However, given the nature of his role, I believe it is untenable for him to continue with his current duties and that his candidacy will affect his ability to be seen as independent.

Police Minister Mark Mitchell (National) said Naidoo had been privy to sensitive information.

"I am particularly disappointed that Mr Naidoo was recently included in sensitive briefings in relation to public safety and government policy and has been attending events with me as recently as yesterday afternoon."

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