Chris Hipkins on Wednesday sworn in as the Prime Minister of New Zealand. Jacinda Ardern left Parliament as prime minister and handed over the power to Hipkins.
Earlier in 2008 Hipkins was first elected to parliament, in November 2020 he was appointed minister for Covid-19, and currently, he was minister for police, education, and public service.
Meanwhile, on Thursday New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern made a shock announcement and said she had “no more in the tank” to continue leading the country and will step down from the top job no later than February.
“Jacinda Ardern says she will not be seeking re-election this year, and her last day as prime minister is 7 February. The 2023 general election will take place on 14 October,” tweeted New Zealand media.
Meanwhile, PM Ardern made this shocking decision after five and a half years in office, while leading New Zealand through the coronavirus pandemic.
“This summer, I had hoped to find a way to prepare for not just another year, but another term, because that is what this year requires. I have not been able to do that,” PM Ardern said.