New Zealand’s new Prime Minister, Chris Hipkins, has officially taken over from his predecessor, Jacinda Ardern, who announced her unexpected resignation last week. Ardern was replaced on Wednesday in a ceremony held in the capital, Wellington, where Hipkins, 44, was sworn in by New Zealand’s governor-general. After assuming office, Hipkins expressed his gratitude, stating, “This is the biggest privilege and responsibility of my life.” He added that he feels “energised and excited by the challenges ahead.”
Jacinda Ardern stepped down, citing a lack of energy to continue in the role after guiding the country through significant challenges, including natural disasters, New Zealand’s worst-ever terror attack, and the Covid-19 pandemic. On her last day as prime minister, she made a public appearance in parliament, where she received a spontaneous round of applause from hundreds of onlookers.
During her tenure, Ardern’s centre-left government faced increasing difficulties over the past two years, struggling with soaring inflation, a looming recession, and a resurgent conservative opposition. As the architect of New Zealand’s pandemic response, Hipkins now faces the challenge of reviving the government’s declining popularity ahead of the general election scheduled for October. Known affectionately as “Chippy,” Hipkins describes himself as a “regular, ordinary Kiwi” from a working-class background who enjoys sausage rolls and cycling to work. He has previously stated, “Covid-19 and the global pandemic created a health crisis. Now it’s created an economic one, and that’s where my government’s focus will be.”
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