New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern stunned the world earlier this week when she announced she would be stepping down in February. The 42-year-old, a global icon of progressive politics who steered the country through some difficult times, said she no longer “has enough in her tank”.
Who would replace her was the question on everyone's mind. And now, Chris Hipkins, who played a significant role in the country's Covid-19 response will replace her, New Zealand's ruling Labour Party announced on Saturday. The 44-year-old minister was the sole contender for the top post.
He is expected to be confirmed as the new leader at the Caucus on Sunday.
He is the minister for police, education and public service, as well as leader of the House. Hipkins was appointed the health minister in July 2020 and later became the Covid response minister. He became a household name while he was at the forefront of the country's Covid response, which included shutting the borders to keep the virus out. New Zealand fully reopened its borders in August last year. With strict lockdowns, New Zealand adopted the 'zero-Covid' strategy which received mixed responses from experts.
A local media organisation poll on Friday revealed that Hipkins was the most popular potential candidate among voters.
Before becoming an MP in 2008, he worked as a senior adviser to two education ministers and former prime minister Helen Clark, AFP reported. "Chris is decisive and will be an incredibly strong prime minister," said Justice Minister Kiri Allan, one of Labour's senior Maori MPs. "He is extremely competent, with a track record of delivering for New Zealand as one of our most senior ministers over the past six years," she said.
Hipkins, however, faces an uphill task if he wishes to continue as the country's leader post the general election. The popularity of the Labour Party has dipped amid domestic issues like inflation and deepening social inequality. A Taxpayers' Union-Curia poll released on Friday, based on data from before Ardern's resignation announcement, showed Labour's popularity falling to 31.7%, behind the opposition New Zealand National Party at 37.2%.
