New Zealand Prime Minister Chris Hipkins has contracted COVID-19 during his election campaign.

Hipkins – who is seeking for re-election – broke the news early Sunday, October 1, on his official Facebook page.

“Bugger! After a rough night I woke up this morning feeling pretty unwell and just got this test result,” Hipkins said.

Isolating…

Consequently, Hipkins says he will be isolating for “a few days” since he don’t want to pass the virus to anyone.

“I’m in close contact with New Zealanders on the campaign trail and I don’t want to pass it on to anyone, so I’ll be following the guidance and isolating for a few days or until I get a negative test,” he added. “I’ll try to keep up as many campaign engagements remotely as I can.”

The leader of the centre-left Labour Party appreciated all volunteers and supporters who will keep his campaign going in his absence.

“There’s a lot at stake [in] this election, and I’ll be working doubly hard when I can get back out there to make sure Labour is re-elected.”

Jacinda Ardern resigns

In January 21, 2023, Hipkins succeeded former leader Jacinda Ardern after she resigned.

At the time, Hipkins was the sole candidate to succeed Ardern as leader of the Labour Party. He was consequently appointed prime minister by the governor-general on January 25, 2023.

But the party is lagging behind in political polling.

In a poll this week, just 27% of New Zealanders said they would vote Labour, while the centre-right National Party, led by Christopher Luxon, had 37% support.

Polling numbers ahead of the October 14 election are increasingly showing National is on track to form a coalition government with minor parties.

Additional reporting by AFP