Chris Hipkins: New Zealand’s former COVID-19 response minister Chris Hipkins will replace Jacinda Ardern as prime minister after being the only candidate to be nominated for the position, said the ruling Labour Party on Saturday.
The 44-year-old senior politician is expected to be confirmed as the new leader at a meeting of Labour’s 64 lawmakers, or Caucus, on Sunday. He will take over as the country’s 41st prime minister, following Ardern’s shock resignation on Thursday.
Also Read: PhonePe raises $350 million at $12 billion valuation, becomes most-valid fintech in India
The police and education minister has his task cut out as he assumes power. He must lead his party’s uphill battle to win general elections on October 14. Labour Party lags in opinion polls and is facing criticism by opponents over rising prices, poverty and crime rates.
Caucus to endorse nomination on Sunday
“The Labour Party caucus will meet at 1pm on Sunday to endorse the nomination and confirm Chris Hipkins as Party Leader,” said a statement by senior Labour Party member Duncan Webb.
As leader of the governing party, Hipkins will also become prime minister when Ardern steps down.
Ardern, a global figurehead for progressive politics, stunned the country when she announced her abrupt exit from office.
The 42-year-old — who steered the country through natural disasters, the Covid pandemic, and its worst-ever terror attack — said she no longer had “enough in the tank”.
‘Tinged with sadness’
Ardern said her decision to step down was “tinged with sadness”. However, after the announcement, she said she had “slept well for the first time in a long time”.
Meanwqhile, political commentators condemned the social media abuse directed at Ardern before her resignation.
Former New Zealand prime minister Helen Clark said Ardern had “faced a level of hatred and vitriol” that was “unprecedented in our country”.
Hipkins is considered a safe pair of hands with more than 14 years in parliament. Political commentator Josie Pagani described Hipkins as “sensible, likeable, tough and capable”.
Country’s main opposition National Party was yet to respond to Hipkins’ win. The right-wing ACT Party urged him to “deliver on substance instead of snowing New Zealand with spin”. It criticise his Labour Party’s record on the number of welfare recipients, rising food prices and a tight labour market.
Positive feedback as Covid response minister
The Green Party said it looked forward to working with him to “end poverty, take bold climate action and protect our native wildlife”.
Hipkins received positive feedback as the Covid response minister in a country that shut down its borders to keep the coronavirus out, only fully reopening in August last year.
Hipkins describes himself as an “outdoor enthusiast” keen on mountain biking, hiking and swimming.
Also Read: IND vs NZ: Bracewell’s 140 not enough to shatter Gill’s 208 as India beat New Zealand by 12 runs
Keep watching our YouTube Channel ‘DNP INDIA’. Also, please subscribe and follow us on FACEBOOK, INSTAGRAM, and TWITTER
