New Zealand’s 41st PM: Chris Hipkins, 44, was sworn in as New Zealand’s 41st Prime Minister on Wednesday, according to New Zealand’s public broadcaster RNZ.
Jacinda Ardern left Parliament as prime minister for the final time this morning, heading to Government House to officially tender her resignation and move to the back benches. Hipkins and incoming deputy prime minister Carmel Sepuloni arrived at the ceremony around 11.20 a.m., according to RNZ, and Hipkins has indicated that combating the “inflation pandemic” will be a top priority for his cabinet.
Hipkins was first elected to the House of Commons in 2008 and will be appointed Minister for Covid-19 in November 2020.
He was the police, education, and public service minister.
Jacinda Ardern’s unexpected resignation triggered a Labour Party leadership election.
Ardern’s shocking decision comes after leading New Zealand through the coronavirus pandemic for five and a half years.
Ardern stated that she understood what it took to be prime minister and that she “no longer had enough in the tank to do it justice,” but that there were colleagues who could.
She stated that her administration had accomplished much and that she was stepping down not because she did not believe Labour could win the next election, but because she did.
Governor General administers oath to PM
The Governor General of New Zealand, Cindy Kiro, officiated the swearing-in ceremony. Earlier, he accepted Ardern’s resignation. At the ceremony, Hipkins said that this is the greatest privilege and responsibility of my life. I am excited and excited by the challenges ahead.
Let us tell you that less than 9 months are left for the next general election. According to media reports, opinion polls indicate that Hipkins’ Labor Party is trailing its rival opposition.
