Chris Hipkins, the 44-year-old politician from New Zealand, has officially taken the reins as the country’s 41st prime minister, succeeding Jacinda Ardern who stepped down last week. Hipkins, who is known to many by his nickname “Chippy,” has promised to take a back-to-basics approach to leading the country, focusing on the economy and what he has referred to as the “pandemic of inflation.”
As Hipkins assumes the role of prime minister, he faces a significant challenge with less than nine months before the general election. Opinion polls indicate that his Labour Party is trailing behind the conservative opposition, making the upcoming election a tough one for him and his party.
The swearing-in ceremony was officiated by New Zealand Governor-General Cindy Kiro, in front of friends, colleagues, and members of the media. Hipkins, during the ceremony, stated, “This is the biggest privilege and responsibility of my life. I’m energized and excited by the challenges that lie ahead.”
Additionally, Carmel Sepuloni was sworn in as the deputy prime minister, making history as the first time a person of Pacific Island heritage has taken on the role. Sepuloni, in her acceptance speech, congratulated Hipkins and expressed her gratitude for the trust he had placed in her.
Hipkins served as the education and police minister under Ardern and rose to prominence during the COVID-19 pandemic, where he played a key role in crisis management. He and other liberals have long been standing behind Ardern, who became a symbol of the left and demonstrated a new style of leadership.
Ardern, who has been in the role of prime minister for over five years, resigned last week, stating that she did not have “enough in the tank” to do the job well anymore. To prevent triggering a special election ahead of the nation’s general election in October, she plans to remain a backbench lawmaker until April.
New Zealand’s head-of-state is currently King Charles III of Britain, with Kiro serving as his representative in the country. Although the nation’s relationship with the monarchy is largely symbolic these days, Britain’s Prince William and his wife Kate, took to Twitter to thank Ardern for her “friendship, leadership and support over the years.”
