New Zealand appoints new prime minister

New Zealand's ruling Labour Party has officially elected its Minister of Education, Police and Public Service Chris Hipkins as its new leader, and the country's new prime minister.

According to Al Jazeera, Hipkins got the unanimous support of legislators from the ruling Labour Party on January 22 after he was the only candidate to replace the charismatic Jacinda Ardern, who shocked the nation last week when she announced she was resigning after more than five years as prime minister.

Hipkins, 44, will be officially sworn in on January 25.

“This is the biggest privilege and biggest responsibility of my life,” Hipkins said at a news conference announcing his appointment.

“I am energised and excited by the challenge that lies ahead.”

Hipkins named Carmel Sepuloni, Minister for Social Development, as deputy prime minister, New Zealand’s first deputy prime minister of Pacific origin.

Sepuloni, 46, is of Samoan, Tongan and New Zealand European descent and lives in Auckland. She holds several portfolios, including social development and employment as well as arts, culture and heritage.

Hipkins had previously served as Minister of Health. During the COVID-19 pandemic, he built a reputation for competence in tackling the virus and was a troubleshooter for Ardern when other cabinet ministers were struggling.