Chris Hipkins officially becomes Prime Minister

Chris Hipkins officially became New Zealand’s new prime minister on Wednesday, succeeding Jacinda Ardern, at an inauguration ceremony in Wellington, who left Parliament to applause from hundreds of New Zealanders.

Jacinda Ardern stunned New Zealand last week when she abruptly announced she was stepping down from power, less than three years after winning a second term in a landslide election victory.

Ardern, 42, said she no longer had “enough energy” to continue her duties, after five years marked by a deadly volcanic eruption, the country’s worst ever attack and the COVID-19 pandemic. His successor, Chris Hipkins, was sworn in at a ceremony in the capital, Wellington, and said he was “full of energy and excited about the challenges ahead”.

“It’s the greatest privilege and responsibility of my life,” said Chris Hepkins, 44. Chris Hipkins has won praise for his nearly two-year tenure as minister responsible for combating COVID-19, in a country that closed its borders to stave off the pandemic and only reopened them in August 2022.

Ardern made her last public appearance as prime minister earlier in the day, walking out of parliament to spontaneous applause from hundreds of staff and spectators.

The new Prime Minister has already set the course: “Covid-19 and the global pandemic are the root cause of the health crisis. This crisis is now also economic, and this is the focus of my government.”

Chris Hipkins, who studied politics and criminology at the University of Victoria and later worked in industrial training, said the cost of living was one of his priorities, but showed himself more reticent when asked about other potential policy changes.

After chairing the first Cabinet meeting on Wednesday afternoon, Hipkins said it was a “very proud moment” for him to take on “responsibilities” from Ms Ardern.

The father-of-two describes himself as an “ordinary” New Zealander from a working-class background, who loves sausage rolls and bikes to work. He condemned the “absolutely outrageous” insults leveled at his predecessor on social media, which intensified during her tenure.

And while Jacinda Ardern’s resignation sparked a nationwide debate over the vilification of female leaders, especially on social media, the former prime minister said on Tuesday she “hated” her sudden departure to be seen as criticism of her country.

Ms. Ardern, a global figure in progressive politics, has strengthened New Zealand’s presence on the international stage. On the outside, Prince William was one of the first to congratulate her on her passing.

He wrote on Twitter: “Thank you Jacinda Ardern for your friendship, leadership and support over the years, especially at the time of my grandmother’s passing.”

British folk singer Cat Stevens, who performed in New Zealand at the 2019 Christchurch bombing tribute concert, also welcomed the former prime minister to the social network, thanking her for New Zealanders “keeping her together” after this attack on the Muslim community.

Jacinda Ardern, who will continue to sit in Parliament, has announced her intention to distance herself from political rhetorical contests.

She also said she plans to marry her partner Clark Gayford, a TV personality who hosts a fishing show, and is looking forward to taking her daughter Neff to school.