On Sunday, the ruling Labour Party of New Zealand selected Chris Hipkins to be the 41st Prime Minister of the country. The decision followed the surprise resignation of Jacinda Ardern last Thursday.
Hipkins, 44, was nominated uncontested for the job, and his confirmation in the Labour Caucus on Sunday was more or less a formality.
Hipkins built a reputation for competence in steering the country through the COVID-19 pandemic and the worst terror attack. Announcing his appointment, he said: “This is the biggest privilege and biggest responsibility of my life. I am energized and excited by the challenge that lies ahead.” (Reuters)
He is currently serving as the Minister of Police, Education, and Public Services, as well as the leader of the House of Representatives of the country, and was appointed as the Minister for COVID-19 Response in November 2020.
Political commentator Josie Pagani has described Mr. Hipkins as “sensible, likable, tough, and capable.”
In addition, parties like the right-wing ACT party urged him to “deliver on substance instead of snowing New Zealand with spin,” criticizing the record of his party on the number of welfare recipients. (Al Jazeera)
While the Green Party mentioned that it looked forward to working with Hipkins to “end poverty, take bold climate action, and protect our native wildlife.”
Furthermore, on Sunday, New Zealand’s incoming prime minister named Carmel Sepuloni as the nation’s new deputy prime minister.