CNN
—
New Zealand’s Labor Party has unanimously backed Education Minister Chris Hipkins as party leader to replace current Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern.
Hipkins was the sole nominee for the leadership position, so his endorsement on Sunday was largely formal.
At a press conference in Wellington after the decision, Hipkins said, “Today at the Labor caucuses, the working team of MPs unanimously endorsed me as their new leader and New Zealand’s next prime minister.
“Retiring Prime Minister, I want to thank my dear friend Jacinda Ardern. She is one of New Zealand’s great prime ministers,” added Hipkins.
Prime Minister Ardern said she was stepping down from her country’s top post in a surprise announcement last Thursday, citing fatigue.
She has yet to formally resign as Prime Minister of New Zealand Governor-General. A necessary step to formalize a decision.
At a press conference on Thursday, Ardern said her term would end by February 7, but she had expected a new Labor prime minister to take office, but “it could be sooner, depending on the process.”
Hipkins said he is expected to take office Wednesday.
A career politician who entered parliament in 2008, Hipkins rose to prominence while leading New Zealand’s pandemic management as Minister of Covid-19 Response in the Ardern Cabinet. Besides being Minister of Education, he is also Minister of Police and Public Affairs and Speaker of the House of Commons.
Speaking to reporters after the nominations closed on Saturday morning, Hipkins pledged to lead the country in a “strong, stable and united” manner, but warned there were challenges ahead. .
“At the moment, we are experiencing economic turmoil and we recognize that we must navigate through it,” he said.
Hipkins told reporters he was “incredibly optimistic about New Zealand’s future” and “I’m really looking forward to this job. I feel the energy and enthusiasm.”
