Key Takeaways
- Former National MP Harete Hipango‑Brownlie has secured the New Zealand First candidacy for the Whanganui electorate, running unopposed for the nomination.
- She cites the Covid‑19 pandemic period as the turning point when she felt New Zealand First’s values aligned more closely with her own, especially regarding leadership, democracy and national unity.
- Hipango‑Brownlie previously held the Whanganui seat (2017‑2020), returned to Parliament via the list in May 2021 after Nick Smith’s resignation, and contested the Māori electorate Te Tai Hauāuru in 2023, finishing third.
- Her switch to New Zealand First follows a pattern of former Labour and National MPs (Stuart Nash, Alfred Ngaro, Michael Laws) joining the Winston Peters‑led party ahead of the 2023 election.
- Party officials describe her as a “great addition,” highlighting her legal background, health and governance experience, and prior parliamentary service.
- She remains on good terms with former National leader Judith Collins, whom she informed of her decision out of respect, but feels no ongoing obligation to the National Party after perceiving a mutual drift.
- Hipango‑Brownlie has faced criticism and controversy, including a 2022 request to edit her Wikipedia page and attendance at an anti‑vaccination rally in 2021, which she acknowledges as part of the political “territory.”
Background and Recent Nomination
Harete Hipango‑Brownlie, a lawyer with more than three decades of experience, has been selected as the New Zealand First candidate for the Whanganui electorate after winning the party’s nomination unopposed on Wednesday night. Her selection marks the latest in a series of former politicians defecting to the Winston Peters‑led party for the upcoming general election. Hipango‑Brownlie’s legal career, coupled with her prior stint as a Member of Parliament, provides her with a robust policy foundation that the party highlighted in its endorsement.
Parliamentary History with National
Hipango‑Brownlie first entered Parliament as a National Party MP, representing Whanganui from 2017 to 2020. After the resignation of Nick Smith, she returned to the House via the party list in May 2021, a move that raised eyebrows among some National caucus members who viewed her as more of a hindrance than an asset. One colleague reportedly described her as someone who “sailed her own waka,” indicating her independent streak within the party ranks.
Shift in Political Allegiance
The turning point for Hipango‑Brownlie came during the Covid‑19 pandemic, when she began to feel that the mandates, ensuing divisiveness, and perceived undermining of democracy were not being adequately addressed by her then‑party leadership. She told RNZ that she believed political parties and leaders could have spoken up more strongly for New Zealanders during that period. Witnessing Winston Peters’ grassroots engagement while he was out of Parliament impressed her and solidified her perception that New Zealand First’s values resonated with her own evolving views.
2023 Election Attempt and Māori Seat Contest
In the 2023 general election, Hipango‑Brownlie contested the Māori electorate Te Tai Hauāuru, becoming the first National MP since 2002 to run for a Māori seat. She finished third behind Te Pāti Māori’s Debbie Ngarewa‑Packer and Labour’s Soraya Peke‑Mason. Although the result was not victorious, the experience reinforced her belief that a broader, inclusive political approach—one that transcends traditional party lines—was needed for New Zealand’s future.
Decision to Join New Zealand First
Hipango‑Brownlie formally announced her switch to New Zealand First after attending the party’s convention in Palmerston North as a member the previous year. She explained that the party’s emphasis on unity, pragmatic policy, and responsiveness to everyday New Zealanders aligned with her sense of what the country needed after the pandemic era. New Zealand First spokesperson praised her as “another great addition,” noting her extensive experience in law, health, governance, and public policy as assets to the team.
Relationship with Former National Leaders
Despite her departure, Hipango‑Brownlie maintains a cordial relationship with former National Party leader and minister Judith Collins. She informed Collins of her decision out of respect, describing Collins as the only person from her former party she gave a heads‑up to. Hipango‑Brownlie expressed that she felt no ongoing obligation to the National Party, perceiving a mutual drift after the 2023 election outcome, and stated that any sense of loyalty had effectively dissipated.
Reactions from Former Colleagues
Her move has not been without internal criticism. During her time back in Parliament under Collins’ leadership, several National MPs described her as more of a hindrance than a help, with one likening her to someone who “sailed her own waka.” Responding to these comments at the New Zealand First convention, Hipango‑Brownlie dismissed the notion that her colleagues’ concerns had driven her away, asserting that her motivation stemmed from sensing a broader resonance between New Zealand First’s platform and the general sentiment of the electorate.
Controversies and Public Scrutiny
Hipango‑Brownlie’s career has attracted occasional controversy. In 2022 she requested a staffer to edit her Wikipedia page after encountering material she deemed false and distressing to her family. A year earlier, she drew criticism for attending a Voices for Freedom anti‑vaccination rally. She acknowledges such incidents as part of the political “territory,” noting that public scrutiny and criticism are inevitable for anyone in the public eye, and that she remains unfazed by occasional “pot shots” directed at her or her new party affiliation.
Outlook for the Upcoming Election
As the election approaches, Hipango‑Brownlie positions herself as a candidate who can bridge divides, leveraging her legal expertise, governance experience, and firsthand knowledge of both urban and rural constituencies. She emphasizes the importance of offering opportunity for all New Zealanders and believes that New Zealand First’s focus on pragmatic, inclusive policies will appeal to voters weary of partisan polarization. Her candidacy adds a notable figure to the party’s roster, reflecting a broader trend of seasoned politicians seeking a new political home ahead of the 2023 general election.