Chris Hepkins officially became New Zealand’s new prime minister on Wednesday and took office during a ceremony in Wellington to succeed Jacinda Ardern, who left parliament to cheers from hundreds of New Zealanders. Jacinda Ardern surprised her country last week when she abruptly announced her resignation from office less than three years after being elected to the Secunda term after a landslide election victory.
And Jacinda Ardern, 42, resigned, stressing that she “already lacks the energy” to continue running the country after five and a half years in office and nine months before the date of the legislative election.
During her tenure, Ardern has faced the Covid-19 pandemic, a deadly volcanic eruption and the country’s worst attack in 2019 when a white supremacist killed 51 Muslim worshipers at two mosques in Christchurch.
Hopkins, 44, was sworn in as New Zealand’s Governor General during a ceremony in the nation’s capital, Wellington, saying he felt “the drive and enthusiasm needed to tackle the challenges ahead.”
“This is the greatest privilege and the greatest responsibility in my life,” he added.
Chris Hepkins served as Covid-19 outbreak minister for two years in a country that closed its borders to prevent the pandemic and did not open them until August 2022.
Ardern’s last public appearance as prime minister was when she left Parliament on Wednesday to the applause of hundreds of citizens waiting for her.
The popularity of the center-left government led by Ardern has worsened in recent months due to a looming recession and a recovery of momentum from the conservative opposition.
Now Hopkins will have to resurrect the government’s popularity ahead of the general election scheduled for October 2023.
“Covid-19 and the pandemic are at the heart of the health crisis,” the latter said. “Right now, this crisis is also an economic one, and my government will focus on this issue.”
Hopkins, who studied political science and criminology at the University of Victoria and later worked in apprenticeships, said the cost of living was one of his priorities but was more reserved when asked about other possible policy changes.
After presiding over his first Cabinet meeting on Wednesday afternoon, Hepkins said that Ardern “took charge” was a “moment of great pride” for him.
Father-of-two Hopkins calls himself “Chibi” and describes himself as a typical working-class New Zealander who prefers to cycle to work.
He denounced the “outrageous” abuse Ardern had received on social media, which had increased in frequency during her tenure.
And on Tuesday, Ardern, whose resignation sparked debate on the local stage about smearing women leaders, especially on social media, confirmed that she “hates” her sudden departure, which is seen as a criticism of her country.
Considered a symbol of progressive politics, the Ardern strengthened New Zealand’s presence on the international stage.
Internationally, Prince William was among the first to congratulate Ardern on her passing.
“Thank you Jacinda Ardern for your friendship, leadership and support over the years, especially at the time of my grandmother’s passing,” he tweeted.
She also said that she plans to marry her partner Clark Gayford, a well-known TV presenter who hosts a fishing show, and is looking forward to taking her daughter Neff to school.
