Chris Hipkins confirmed as New Zealand's next prime minister

By Anadolu Agency Staff

ANKARA (AA) – New Zealand's ruling Labour Party announced on Sunday that Chris Hipkins will be the party's new leader and the country's 41st prime minister.

His election was confirmed by a vote in the party's caucus meeting on Sunday, which lasted less than an hour.

The 44-year-old caucus member, minister for education, police, and public service, and leader of the house, was the sole nominee, following his predecessor Jacinda Ardern's shock resignation.

Ardern announced on Thursday that she will step down as prime minister and party leader in February and will not seek re-election in the 2023 general election slated to be held on Oct. 14.

Hipkins, 44, will take the oath of office as Prime Minister on Wednesday.

During a press conference following his election, he said a cabinet reshuffle would be announced in the coming week.

In addition to focusing on domestic issues, Hipkins said his government will prioritize rising inflation, high housing prices, and law and order.

Born in the Hutt Valley in 1978, Hipkins attended Waterloo Primary School, Hutt Intermediate and was Head Boy at Hutt Valley Memorial College (later called Petone College) in 1996.

He received his Bachelor of Arts degree majoring in politics and criminology from Victoria University of Wellington.

Hipkins entered parliament in 2008, and after the 2011 general election, he was named Labour Party spokesperson for internal affairs and chief whip.

He was also the spokesperson for State Services and Associate Education.

Hipkins was appointed minister for education in 2017 after being elected as a cabinet minister by the Labour Party caucus.

In early 2020, he was appointed as health minister, and a few months later, in Nov. 2020, Hipkins was minister of education, minister of public service, and COVID-19 response minister.

In June 2022, he was appointed police minister.

- Sepuloni appointed his deputy

The Labour Party caucus elected Carmel Sepuloni as the country's new deputy prime minister.

Sepuloni first entered parliament as a list member following the 2008 general election, becoming New Zealand's first MP of Tongan descent.

Since 2017, she has served as New Zealand's Minister for social development.

She is also the minister responsible for the accident compensation scheme (ACC) and the arts, culture, and heritage.