Chris Hipkins has been sworn in as the new Prime Minister of New Zealand following the unexpected resignation of Jacinda Ardern last week. Hipkins is 44 years old and he has promised to focus on the economy.
Hipkins will have around 9 months to do this before he faces a tough general election in October. New Zealand Governor General Cindy Kiro officiated the brief swearing-in ceremony. Only a few friends and colleagues of Hipkins attended the ceremony. Carmel Sepuloni was also sworn in as deputy Prime Minister.
Hipkins stated that he felt energised and excited with the challenges that lay ahead and that it is the biggest responsibility of his life. He is known to many by his nickname ”Chippy”. He was the education and police minister under Ardern and rose to prominence when he took on crisis management during the Covid-19 pandemic.
