New Zealand Prime Minister Update: Chris Hipkins Takes Over

In a formal ceremony on Wednesday, Labor leader Chris Hipkins was sworn in as the next prime minister of New Zealand after the resignation of Jacinda Ardern last week.

On Sunday, the Labor party elected 44-year-old former COVID-19 Response and Police minister Hipkins to lead the party and the nation. This follows the unexpected resignation of 42-year-old Ardern, who stated she had "no more in the tank" to govern the country.

Chris Hipkins Sworn in as New Zealand's PM

Hundreds gathered on the grounds of Parliament as Ardern departed for the last time, hugging each of her parliamentary colleagues, many of whom were sad.

She then traveled to Government House, where she submitted her resignation to Governor General Cindy Kiro, who represented King Charles in New Zealand. In a brief ceremony, Hipkins and his deputy Carmel Sepuloni - the first person of Pacific Islander heritage to occupy the position - were sworn in, according to Reuters.

Hipkins, who has not spoken on his plans since becoming leader, will conduct his first cabinet meeting Wednesday evening.

Known as "Chippy," Hipkins is well-known among New Zealanders for his proficiency in combating COVID-19. However, he has admitted to making some mistakes in handling the pandemic and faces a difficult struggle to maintain power in the October general election.

According to a December 1News-Kantar survey, Labor's popularity would drop to 33% from 40% at the start of 2022, preventing it from forming a majority even with the usual coalition partner, the Green Party, at 9%. The fall of the Labor Party has aided the opposition National Party.

Jacinda Ardern Bids Farewell

On Tuesday, her last full day in office, outgoing New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern stated that she is "ready to be a sister and a mom."

Ardern made her final public appearance in government alongside her successor, Chris Hipkins, the new head of the ruling Labor Party, at a Maori settlement outside Wellington.

Last week, Ardern stunned New Zealand by announcing she was resigning after more than five years in office. She told reporters she did not want her choice to be perceived as a "bad statement on New Zealand" in response to rumors that a flood of misogynistic and sexist insults on social media by right-wing extremists prompted her resignation.

"I have encountered such love, compassion, empathy, and kindness in this position," added Ardern, as per VOA News.

Ardern, who in 2018 became the second female leader of the government to deliver birth, stayed in Parliament as a backbencher on Wednesday when Hipkins was sworn in. The Labor-led government lags in voter opinion polls ahead of the national election in October.

As Jacinda Ardern exited the New Zealand Parliament for the last time following her abrupt resignation as prime minister, she was greeted by a cheering crowd. When Ardern exited the Executive Building - or the Beehive - on the parliament forecourt, Labor MPs, government employees, and members of the general public applauded her.

She hugged each member of her party who had gathered to bid her farewell, many of whom seemed distraught as she did so. Clarke Gayford, Ardern's fiance, followed her as she walked through the crowd to her car. At one point, she stated, "I can't see where I'm going."

She reached her vehicle and was then transported to the government house. There, she will meet with Governor-General Dame Cindy Kiro and formally retire as head of the country. Ardern stunned New Zealanders and the majority of her party last Thursday when she announced her resignation at the Labor Party's annual retreat in Napier.

Ardern stated that New Zealanders will continue to see her, but not in public discussions. Chris Hipkins will return to parliament, preside over his first Cabinet meeting, and conduct a news conference. Ardern has hailed the former minister of police as "personable, grounded, and pragmatic." Ardern will spend three months on the backbench after vacating her seat in April in preparation for an election on October 14, Daily Mail reported.