New Zealand Prime Minister gets sworn in
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Chris Hipkins gets sworn in as the new prime minister of New Zealand after he was unanimously endorsed as Labour Party leader.
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Chris Hipkins gets sworn in as New Zealand Prime Minister, January 2, 2023 (AFP)
Chris Hipkins has been sworn in as New Zealand's new Prime Minister. He is now expected to convene his cabinet for the first time.
On January 22, Hipkins, who faced no opposition during the leadership race, was unanimously named for the leadership of the governing Labour Party.
As leader of the ruling party in New Zealand, as in the UK, Hipkins will serve as the country's new prime minister.
Hipkins, who also goes by the nickname "Chippy", played a major role in the country's response to the pandemic and played troubleshooter for ex-PM Ardern, amping up his competence and capabilities.
New Zealand PM Jacinda Ardern resigns
New Zealand's former Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern submitted her resignation on January 19, confessing she no longer "has enough in the tank" to do the job justice.
“I’m leaving, because with such a privileged role comes responsibility. The responsibility to know when you are the right person to lead and also when you are not. I know what this job takes. And I know that I no longer have enough in the tank to do it justice. It’s that simple,” she said.
She will step down from her post, but will continue as an MP until the upcoming election this year.
Read more: Incoming New Zealand PM calls out Ardern's 'abhorrent' treatment
