STORY: Labor leader Chris Hipkins was sworn in as New Zealand’s prime minister on Wednesday. Speaking to reporters on Wednesday, Hipkins said he intends to put the cost of living in the country at the heart of his program in the coming weeks and months. He also announced that he would comply with the commitments already made for the current legislative period. The 44-year-old succeeds Jacinda Ardern, who surprisingly resigned last week. Hipkin’s deputy, Carmel Sepuloni, was also sworn in during the minutes-long ceremony. Sepuloni is the first Deputy Prime Minister of New Zealand with Samoan-Tongan roots.