That changed on Tuesday when Hipkins returned to New Zealand from Australia, where he was on holiday when Paul made her post. <\/p>\n
Facing questions from reporters waiting at Wellington International Airport, he said he\u2019d hold a media stand-up to comment on the allegations. <\/p>\n
Labour leader Chris Hipkins was greeted by members of the media eager for answers as he arrived at Wellington International Airport on Tuesday. Photo \/ Jamie Ensor<\/p>\n
At that press conference, Hipkins said throughout his time in politics he had \u201cmade a very conscious effort to keep my private life private, and to keep my family out of the spotlight, particularly my children\u201d. <\/p>\n
\u201cYou won\u2019t find photos of my kids anywhere on social media. You won\u2019t find me talking about them, beyond generic references to being a parent, anywhere in public,\u201d said Hipkins. <\/p>\n
He said he rejected the allegations Paul made and \u201cthe characterisation of those events\u201d. <\/p>\n
\u201cI don\u2019t intend to get into a backwards and forwards on those. I don\u2019t think that would be the best thing for anybody involved, but particularly not for my children.\u201d <\/p>\n
Asked what his message was for New Zealanders aware of the allegations, Hipkins responded that he was \u201cputting the best interest of my children first\u201d. <\/p>\n
\u201cMarriage break-ups are very difficult. Everybody who\u2019s been through that understands that marriage break-ups are very difficult. There are always going to be disagreements. There are always going to be things that you regret when your relationships break up. A public forum like this is not the way to litigate those.\u201d <\/p>\n
Labour leader Chris Hipkins told a stand-up in Parliament that he had always \u201cmade a very conscious effort to keep my private life private”. Photo \/ Marty Melville<\/p>\n
While he said he denied the claims, Hipkins wouldn\u2019t speak to each specific allegation, repeating that he didn\u2019t wish to bring personal matters into a public forum. <\/p>\n
The Labour leader said he hadn\u2019t sought any legal advice about Paul\u2019s post, but had sought advice \u201cabout the potential publication of allegations against me that are untrue\u201d. <\/p>\n
He wasn\u2019t sure what had prompted Paul to make the allegations at this specific time. <\/p>\n