New Zealand: Chris Hipkins sworn in as New PM says, “Biggest Privilege and Responsibility of my life”

New Zealand: The labour party leader, Chris Hipkins has been sworn in as the new Prime Minister of the country ahead of the shocking resignation of Jacinda Ardern last week.

The 44-year-old, new Prime Minister Hipkins was sworn in by New Zealand’s governor Cindy Kiro general during a ceremony in the capital, Wellington.

The leader has vowed a return to the “basic approach” with an emphasis on the economy and what he called the “pandemic of inflation.” Hipkins’ Labour Party is lagging its conservative opposition in opinion polls, and he will have less than nine months before contesting a tough general election.

Chris Hipkins as New Prime Minister

After taking the oath as the 41^st PM, Chris Hipkins said, “This is the biggest privilege and responsibility of my life. It feels pretty real now. I am energized and excited by the challenges that lie ahead.”

Taking notes from his career, he is known to many by the nickname “Chippy,” which fits with his upbeat demeanour and skills as an amateur handyman. He served as education and police minister under Ardern.

He rose to public prominence during the COVID-19 pandemic when he took on a kind of crisis management role. But he and other liberals have long been in the shadow of Ardern, who became a global icon of the left and exemplified a new style of leadership.

Also Read: Chris Hipkins in queue to be New Zealand’s next Prime Minister

Carmen Sepuloni as Deputy Prime Minister

Ahead of Chris being sworn in as PM, Carmel Sepuloni was sworn in as Deputy Prime Minister, the first time a person with Pacific Island heritage has taken on the role. She also congratulated Hipkins and thanked him for the trust he’d placed in her.

Shocking Resignation of Jacinda Ardern

On 19 January, New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announced her resignation. While announcing her decision, she said “For me it’s time.” “I just don’t have enough in the tank for another four years,” she added.

Ardern was elected in 2017 as New Zealand’s Prime Minister. At the age of 36 years, she became the country’s youngest prime minister since 1856 and a global icon for progressive politics.