Status: 01/22/2023 04:44 am
Former New Zealand Education Minister Hipkins has now been formally appointed by his party to succeed Prime Minister Ardern. He is to be sworn in as the new head of government on Wednesday.
In New Zealand, Chris Hipkins is set to succeed outgoing Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern. The 44-year-old was formally confirmed as his successor by a Labor Party committee. He announced that he would be sworn in as the new head of government on Wednesday.
Hipkins was previously Minister of Police and Education and also responsible for the fight against the corona pandemic. He was the only candidate for the post of prime minister. His deputy in the new office will be Carmel Sepuloni, a representative of the Pacific Islanders.
Prime Minister Ardern surprisingly announced her resignation from office on Thursday. She lacks the strength to continue, she said. She is expected to officially step down before Hipkins is sworn in. Elections are scheduled for October and Labor has so far trailed the Conservatives in the polls.