WELLINGTON – Chris Hipkins was sworn in as New Zealand’s prime minister today, with his predecessor Jacinda Ardern officially tendering her resignation.
The swearing-in ceremony in Parliament saw Hipkins officially taking up the top job and Carmel Sepuloni becoming the deputy prime minister, reported Xinhua.
Prime Minister Hipkins will reshuffle the cabinet next week. Besides the top leadership role, Hipkins himself will be the national security and intelligence minister.
Tackling inflation will be his priority, he said, as Stats NZ released today the growth of New Zealand’s consumer price index remained at 7.2% in the 12 months to December 2022.
Announcing her resignation last Thursday, Ardern said, after five and a half years of the top leadership role, she could not keep going for another year or term after careful consideration.
“Being prime minister has been the greatest honour of my life,” Ardern said, citing her cabinet’s achievement in alleviating child poverty and increasing welfare support and public housing stock.
Yesterday, with the presence of her successor Hipkins, Ardern made a de facto farewell speech as New Zealand prime minister.
On her last day as prime minister, the outgoing Labour leader said her departure should not be viewed as a negative commentary on New Zealand.
“I have experienced such love, compassion, empathy and kindness in this job – that has been my predominant experience,” Ardern said while visiting the town of Ratana with Hipkins.
Ardern said she is not going anywhere and will still be the MP for Mt Albert and away from the centre of politics.
Travelling with Ardern, Hipkins said he and Ardern have reflected on the last few years, adding “it’s a bittersweet moment”.
New Zealand’s 2023 general election will be held on October 14. – Bernama, January 25, 2023
