Labor leader Chris Hipkins was sworn in as New Zealand’s Prime Minister today. “New Zealanders will certainly see in the coming weeks and months that the cost of living will be at the center of our work agenda,” Hipkins said after his first cabinet meeting.
“It is the top priority we are addressing as a government and you will see tangible evidence of that. As I have already indicated, of course I will not propose this spontaneously.” Hipkins announced that he would keep the commitments he had already made for the current legislative period.
The 44-year-old succeeds Jacinda Ardern, who surprisingly resigned last week. Hipkins’ deputy, Carmel Sepuloni, was also sworn in at the ceremony, which lasted just a few minutes. Sepuloni is the first Deputy Prime Minister of New Zealand with Samoan-Tongan roots.