[Asia Economy Reporter Seongpil Cho] Chris Hipkins (44), Minister of Police and Education, has been confirmed as the successor to Jacinda Ardern, the New Zealand Prime Minister who announced her sudden resignation.
According to Radio New Zealand on the 22nd (local time), the ruling Labour Party of New Zealand held a party conference and elected Minister Hipkins as the 41st Prime Minister, replacing Ardern. Prime Minister Ardern is scheduled to submit her resignation to Governor-General Cindy Kiro, the representative of King Charles III, and Governor-General Kiro will appoint Minister Hipkins as Prime Minister. He will serve as New Zealand's Prime Minister until the general election on October 14.
Minister Hipkins first entered the New Zealand Parliament in 2008 and was appointed as the first COVID-19 response minister in November 2020, gaining popularity as New Zealand's pandemic response commander. He currently holds the positions of Minister of Police, Minister of Education, and Minister of Public Service concurrently. He earned the nickname "Mr. Fixit" by personally repairing his constituency office.
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
