Chris Hipkins, who played a key role in New Zealand’s response to the Covid-19 pandemic,will become prime minister on Sunday.He emerged as the sole candidate to lead the ruling Labor Party. “I think it’s an unbelievably strong team,” Hipkins said at a press conference after the party announced him as the sole candidate.
“We have been seeing the process together and will continue to do so.I am all excited to be working with such an amazing people who are truly committed to serving the people of New Zealand. I feel honored”.
Ardern’s proposed cabinet reshuffle will be effected but Treasury Secretary Grant Robertson is likely to continue his role, he said. He had spoken with Australian prime minister “Anthony Albanese” and they both had a “warm discussion”,he told.
Hipkins came to prominence when he was first elected to Parliament for Labor in 2008, leading the government’s response to the pandemic. He was appointed Minister of Health in July 2020 and became Covid Response Minister at the end of the year.
He is currently Chief of Police, Education and Civil Service, and Speaker of the House of representatives.
