Chris Hipkins set to replace Jacinda Ardern as New Zealand prime minister

WELLINGTON, 22 January 2023, (TON): Chris Hipkins is set to replace Jacinda Ardern as New Zealand’s next prime minister after emerging as the only candidate nominated to lead the Labour Party, the party said.

Hipkins is expected to be confirmed as the new leader at a meeting of Labour’s 64 lawmakers, or Caucus.

In a surprise announcement, Ardern said she had “no more in the tank” to lead the country and would step down and not seek re-election.

First elected to parliament for the Labour Party in 2008, the 44-year-old Hipkins became a household name fronting the government’s response to the pandemic after being appointed minister for COVID-19 in November 2020.

Rate this item
(0 votes)
Login to post comments
Go to top