Photo: RNZ / Mark Papalii
Labour leader Chris Hipkins says David Seymour and Winston Peters will be a "nightmare" for Christopher Luxon to deal with in the lead up to next year's election.
Speaking to Morning Report on Tuesday, Hipkins said Labour was ready for the election campaign, whenever the Prime Minister announces a date.
"We're ready to go whenever he is."
Hipkins said he suspected Luxon would pick a date later next year for an election, but there would be tensions within the ACT-National-New Zealand First coalition heading into a campaign.
The Labour leader says there will be tensions within the ACT-National-New Zealand First coalition heading into an election campaign. Photo: RNZ
"That's going to create a few headaches for him as well because Winston Peters and David Seymour are going to be a nightmare in the second-half of the year.
"I mean, if their behaviour in the second-half of this year is anything to go by, next year is going to be a very difficult one for him internally within his government.
"He doesn't seem to be able to get them to agree on anything."
Hipkins said Labour would not necessarily be hurt if the economy picked up in an election year.
"We're coming off a very low base."
Hipkins said Labour would offer a focus on turning around New Zealand's long-term fortunes with more investment, rather than what he said would be cuts in spending under National.
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