It’s October 12, 1996. 

Labour supporters across the country have their heads in their hands, as they watch their party win just 28.2 percent support. 

National gets 33.8 percent of the total vote, and on that night – Prime Minister Jim Bolger got to work forming New Zealand’s first MMP Government.

Meanwhile, as the wind blew and the rain fell on the glass doors of the iconic Astoria café, a dejected looking Alick Shaw had just lost Wellington Central to Act’s Richard Prebble.

As Shaw took another drag of a dimly lit cigarette, defeated opposition leader Helen Clark’s voice thundered in its resolve from a nearby television. 

"I know that many people had expressed the hope that I would break through that glass ceiling and be the first woman Prime Minister.”

There were many party faithful in the room that night – including an 18-year-old boy, with a mop of strawberry blond hair, a faded green vest, and a bright red Labour Party ribbon.

Chris Hipkins watched as Labour fell apart. 

Some 26 years later, the same boy from the Hutt is watching it happen again.

As valiant his efforts during this week’s Newshub debate; his scrappy but effective performance won’t be enough to save him from the fate Clark suffered that gloomy night almost three decades ago. 

Bar a political miracle – he'll be making a similar speech to hers in 14 days’ time.

The question for Hipkins then becomes, what next? 

When Hipkins stands where Clark stood all those years ago and addresses his loyal supporters, what will he tell them? 

Will he fight on, as Clark did in 1996? Or will he bow out, like she did in 2008. 

For his party’s sake: Chris Hipkins should stay in Parliament as leader of the Opposition if Labour loses the election. 

Wednesday’s debate proved beyond a shadow of a doubt that he’s still a force to be reckoned with. 

He called upon every single one of his more than 15 years in Parliament when going toe-to-toe with Chris Luxon, tying the National leader in knots time and time again.

At times, it was hard to watch.

But his performance was reminiscent of his best days in the House. 

As Prime Minister, he’s managed to keep Chris Luxon mostly at bay during question time. As education minister, he held his own against the rolling-maul of National Party spokespersons, lining up to take him down. 

But Hipkins’ best days were arguably in Opposition. 

He came up in the young, hungry ranks Labour’s 2008 intake – along with Carmel Sepuloni, Grant Robertson, and Jacinda Ardern. 

Battle-hardened from years of work within Prime Minister Clark’s office, it didn't take long for him to find his feet in the House. 

Mentored by Trevor Mallard, he knows the rules of the place inside out and towards the latter days of Labour’s nine long years in Opposition, he became one of the party’s most reliable attack dogs. 

That, admittedly, not so old dog has spent the last six years learning many new tricks as Jacinda Ardern’s so-called ‘fix-it’ Minister. 

He was then her successor as Prime Minister, making him one of the most widely experienced members of parliament New Zealand’s ever seen.

And, critical to the likely formation of the next Government, Hipkins has worked with Winston Peters in cabinet.

As Labour licks the wounds of what’s gearing up to be a disastrous campaign, it will be looking for leadership and experience to help guide them through the troubled waters which lie ahead.

There’s already been an exodus of MPs, jumping ship before the campaign even got underway.

And many of those who didn’t jump will be pushed -- losing their electorates as National conquers an array of battle ground and marginal seats. 

Then, the old guard will fall. Grant Robertson, no longer an electorate MP, may well decide he does not have another stint in Opposition left in him.

David Parker may come to the same conclusion; Damien O’Connor could also be on the fence. 

And that’s not to mention the substantial loss of experienced staff Labour simply will not be able to afford to keep on, with an opposition caucus which may quite literally half. 

The post-election picture of a defeated Labour Party is particularly grim. 

It will take time to rebuild. 

The party has talent in its ranks. Rookie MP and minister Barbara Edmonds is Labour’s future. As are the likes of Arena Williams, Camilla Belich and Kieran McAnulty.

There are others. 

But they need a guide through the coming storm.

The mop of hair might be gone, and the vest’s been replaced with a navy-blue suit. But he’s still holding onto that big, red Labour ribbon he’s held so dear for three decades. 

Chris Hipkins will soon need to decide whether he’s putting it back on, or finally hanging it up.

For his party’s sake: It’s time to dust it off, one last time.