WELLINGTON – Chris Hipkins has confirmed in a press conference today that he will be the New Zealand Labour Party’s new leader and the country’s 41st prime minister.
A Labour caucus meeting today voted the caucus member, education, police, and public service minister, and House leader as the new party leader. Hipkins was the only nominee to replace Jacinda Ardern, who announced her resignation on Thursday, reported Xinhua.
Kelston MP and cabinet member Carmel Sepuloni was appointed deputy prime minister.
According to the New Zealand political system, the majority party in Parliament forms the government and that party leader becomes prime minister.
Speaking at a press conference after the caucus meeting, Hipkins said that he will be officially sworn in as prime minister on Wednesday. A cabinet reshuffle will also be arranged in the coming week.
He vowed to focus on domestic issues, saying that high inflation, high housing prices, and law and order issues will be major policy focuses for his government. He also said going to China would be a top priority, despite no travel plans being confirmed yet.
Ardern announced on Thursday that she will step down as prime minister and Labour leader in February and that she will not be seeking re-election in national polls set for this year.
New Zealand will hold a general election on October 14, Ardern also said. – Bernama, January 22, 2023
