Why Chris Hipkins was late for the Labor caucus class photo

Children who ate their packed lunches on a school trip to Parliament found that Labor MPs did a good job with their class photo.

“Everybody is smiling and nobody is being silly,” said one.

Each of the 65 Labor groups had their names pasted on the steps of Parliament arranged in their Cabinet and list rankings so there wouldn’t be much of a problem with who was next to whom.

The silliest thing about the photo was when seasoned photographer Colin McDiarmid asked for a selfie with Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern after taking the formal photo before the first day of the 53rd Parliament.

There were a few newcomers though: Covid-19 Response Minister Chris Hipkins, Attorney General David Parker, and Associate Health Minister Ayesha Verrall had to walk down the steps to their places after a briefing on the latest case. of Covid.

His colleagues clapped as they took their places.

“I’m glad you could do it,” McDiarmid said from the top of the stairs.