Market Desk (online): Labor leader Chris Hipkins was sworn in as New Zealand PM in a formal ceremony on Wednesday following the resignation of outgoing PM Jacinda Ardern last week.
The Labor Party elected former COVID-19 Response and Police minister Hipkins 44, to lead the party and the country on Sunday. This comes after the surprise resignation, who said she had “no more in the tank” to lead the country.
Hundreds gathered on the grounds of Parliament as outgoing PM left for the final time, hugging each of her members of parliament in turn with many looking visibly emotional.
She then traveled to Government House, where she tendered her resignation to King Charles’ representative in New Zealand, Governor General Cindy Kiro.
PM Hipkins will reshuffle the Cabinet next week. Besides the top leadership role, He himself will be the minister of national security and intelligence.
Tackling inflation will be his priority, he said, on Wednesday the growth of New Zealand’s consumers price index remained 7.2% in the 12 months to December 2022.
Father of 2 children, his is nicknamed ‘Chippy’. The new PM motto is to create equal opportunities for every person through politics and commitment and provide them with the highest level of service and to give them a better life.
