Labour leader Chris Hipkins has landed back in New Zealand from a holiday in Australia following allegations levelled at him by his former wife.

The Herald approached the Leader of the Opposition at Wellington Airport on Tuesday to ask for his response to claims made by his ex-wife, Jade Paul.

Upon arrival he told awaiting media that he would speak to the claims at a press conference later in the day.

“I’m going to the office to have a shower and get changed, and then I’m going to do a media stand-up after that.”

Asked if there was any factual basis to the allegations, he said he would comment later.

“The main point that I’m going to make is that these are ultimately personal and family matters, and I’m not going to get into a backwards and forwards with her in public about this.”

Asked again if there was any truth to those personal matters, Hipkins again said he would speak to them this afternoon.

However, he said he believed his position as Labour leader was safe and he wasn’t considering his future. He said his MPs were “very supportive”.

Labour leader Chris Hipkins at Wellington Airport on March 17, 2026 amid questions over ex-wife’s allegations. Photo / Jamie Ensor

He rejected the claims in a statement on Monday, but since then, Paul has defended making the allegations. The claims do not suggest Hipkins was engaging in unlawful activity.

As of about midday on Tuesday, Hipkins was scheduled to be interviewed by broadcasters on Wednesday morning.

The allegations by Paul were first made in a since-deleted Facebook post on her private page on Sunday.

In his statement, Hipkins said: “I reject the allegations entirely and don’t intend to make any further comment”.

On Monday night, Paul posted again.

“So many women are hurt by high profile men who just do what they want with no consequences. We get told all of the time that if we speak out then our lives will be ruined, our kids will be impacted,” Paul said.

“We get labeled as ‘crazy’ or defamatory when we tell the truth. Today I have had enough.”

Hipkins has two children with Jade. The pair were together for years before marrying in 2020 in a ceremony at Premier House.

Chris and Jade Hipkins married in 2020. They separated in 2022. Photo / Katie Kidman

The Herald understands Hipkins is seeking legal advice about the social media post.

Labour finance spokeswoman Barbara Edmonds, speaking to media on Monday afternoon, said she hadn’t seen the allegations and hadn’t yet spoken to Hipkins.

“Marriage break-ups are hard, especially when you have children involved in it, so Chris will talk to his statement or Chris will provide whatever comment he wants to provide but ultimately for a lot of us, it’s to make sure that their children are okay.”