Chris Hipkins has recalled feeling “a little bit nervous” ahead of his marriage proposal to Toni Grace, giving her a ring he chose without consulting his now-fiancee.
The Labour leader and former Prime Minister confirmed their engagement on Instagram yesterday, saying he “didn’t win Powerball over the weekend but I did hit the jackpot” when he proposed to Grace last Thursday.
The post included a beaming photo of the couple with Grace’s engagement ring in scope.
Hipkins told Herald NOW this morning that it was a “big day” for the pair, and thanked host Ryan Bridge for his well wishes.
“It’s pretty awesome actually ... I’m a very, very lucky man.”
He revealed he’d chosen the ring himself, which had worried him slightly.
“I didn’t consult. And so I was a little bit nervous about that, but it seems to have done the trick.
“It seems to have been quite successful, so I’m pretty happy about that.”
Hipkins went on to say that their wedding will take place “sometime next summer”, asserting it wouldn’t be before Kiwis head to the voting stations in 2026.
“We’ve got an election to get through before now and then.”
When asked if he’d told any of his caucus colleagues prior to proposing, Hipkins said: “I didn’t actually tell anybody ... with this particular instance. I just decided that it was something that I was going to do.”
With Grace’s birthday falling on November 13, Hipkins chose to coincide the proposal with her special day.
Announcing the couple’s next chapter, Hipkins described every day with Grace as “incredible”.
“Through the ups and downs of politics, parenthood and life, you are always so calm, optimistic and caring,” he wrote.
“You’re my rock, and I’m so excited about our life together. There simply aren’t enough words to express how much I love you and how lucky I am you’ve agreed to marry me.”
He told reporters on Sunday that he proposed to Grace in Wellington’s Botanic Garden on a park bench above the rose garden.
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon congratulated Hipkins on his engagement yesterday.
“It’s fantastic news, and, I wish them both incredibly well.”
Kiwi chef Peter Gordon also extended his congratulations to the couple in the comments.
Hipkins first confirmed the relationship during his concession speech on election night in 2023, thanking her, his parents and his children for supporting him through the campaign.
“There is someone else I want to thank tonight, someone that most of you won’t know, and that is my partner, Toni,” he said.
“Being Prime Minister is not the only special thing that has happened for me this year and I want to thank you for being with me every step of the way over the last few months as we have gone through this campaign.”
Earlier that year, during his tenure as Prime Minister, Hipkins revealed he had been separated from his former wife – with whom he shares two children – for about one year.
At the time, he noted she was “still my best friend” and maintained the pair were “incredibly close”, and declined to speak further about the matter out of respect for his family’s privacy.
Tom Rose is an Auckland-based journalist who covers breaking news, specialising in lifestyle, entertainment and travel. He joined the Herald in 2023.
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