Jacinda Ardern will step down as prime minister after Chris Hipkins won the Labour Party leadership election on Saturday. Hipkins was a key player in New Zealand’s reaction to the Covid-19 pandemic.
At a gathering of Labour’s 64 legislators, or Caucus, Hipkins, 44, is anticipated to be formally sworn in as the party’s next leader on Sunday.
“I think we’re an incredibly strong team,” Hipkins told a news conference after the party announced him as the sole candidate.
“We’ve gone through this process with unity and we’ll continue to do that. I’m feeling really fortunate to be working with such an amazing group of people who have a real commitment to the service of the people of New Zealand.”
Hipkins refused to discuss his policy ideas in detail. Grant Robertson, the finance minister, will probably stay in his position despite the expected cabinet overhaul, he said.
He claimed to have spoken with Anthony Albanese, the prime minister of Australia, who afterwards tweeted that they had “a friendly discussion.”
Who Is Jade Marie Hipkins?
Labour MP Chris Hipkins has shared beautiful photos of his wedding after putting the ring on his partner on Sunday.
The Education Minister married his partner Jade in Wellington after six years together.
Photos of the happy couple have been shared to Facebook by Hipkins, alongside a touching caption.
“Absolutely incredible day yesterday as I married my best friend and the love of my life. I’m a very lucky man!” he wrote.
Hipkins’ nuptials were place at Premier House, the official house of Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern.
“Jacinda agreed to host us and we are covering all the costs including the security and that kind of stuff so there is no cost to the taxpayer,” he clarified to NZME.
Many of his present and former coworkers, including Darren Hughes and Annette King, attended the wedding.
Hipkins’ best man was replaced by Grant Robertson, the minister of finance.
