WELLINGTON—New Zealand’s ruling Labour Party chose former COVID-19 minister Chris Hipkins on Jan. 22 to succeed Jacinda Ardern as the party’s new leader and become the next prime minister of the country.
Hipkins, 44, was the only nominee for the job and his confirmation at a party meeting on Jan. 22, known as the Labour caucus, was largely a formality. His appointment to the top job followed the surprise resignation on Jan. 19 by Ardern, who said she had “no more in the tank” to lead the country.
“This is the biggest privilege and biggest responsibility of my life,” Hipkins said at a news conference announcing his appointment. “I am energized and excited by the challenge that lies ahead.”
Known as “Chippy,” Hipkins built a reputation for competence in tackling COVID-19 and was a troubleshooter for Ardern when other cabinet ministers were struggling.
First elected to Parliament in 2008, he became a household name fronting the government’s response to the pandemic. He was appointed health minister in July 2020 before becoming the COVID-19 response minister at the end of the year.
Hipkins named Carmel Sepuloni as deputy prime minister; she is 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 a number of portfolios, including social development, employment, and arts, culture, and heritage.
Tough Road
Hipkins said he’s seen the media focus on Ardern’s personal life and wants to keep his two young children and his family out of the limelight.Local polls have shown that Hipkins was the most popular potential candidate among voters. While Ardern was popular early in her 5 1/2-year tenure, her ratings have slid because of backlash over strict COVID-19 curbs, rising living costs and mortgage rates, and concerns about crime.
Hipkins has a tough road ahead with Labour trailing the opposition in opinion polls and the country expected to fall into recession next quarter before a general election on Oct. 14.
Hipkins, who acknowledged that he was taking on the job at a challenging time, said his government will focus on “bread and butter issues.”
“Over the coming week, the cabinet will be making decisions on reining in some programs and projects that aren’t essential right now. We will be focused on middle- and low-income New Zealanders and the small businesses that are [finding] it tough to get by,” he said.
The economy is in sound shape, according to Hipkins.
“Our books and our economy are in a better shape than many around the world and we are absolutely resolved to help the New Zealanders through these tough economic times,” he said.
Before Hipkins becomes prime minister, Ardern will tender her resignation to King Charles’s representative in New Zealand, Gov. General Cindy Kiro. Kiro is to appoint Hipkins to the role and he'll be sworn in on Jan. 25.
