Hipkins back with a bang on return to NZ campaign trail

NZ Prime Minister Chris Hipkins is looking forward to the final week of campaigning after COVID-19. (Ben McKay/AAP PHOTOS)

Chris Hipkins has emerged from his COVID-19 isolation, saying the virus hasn't blunted his energy heading into the final week of the New Zealand election campaign.

With election day fast approaching on October 14, the New Zealand prime minister was hamstrung by COVID-19, isolating at Auckland's Cordis Hotel for the past five days.