Wellington, January 25 (QNA) - Chris Hipkins was sworn in as New Zealand's prime minister in a formal ceremony on Wednesday, following the unexpected resignation of Jacinda Ardern last week.
New Zealand Governor-General Cindy Kiro officiated the brief swearing in ceremony she earlier accepted Ardern's resignation.
"This is the biggest privilege and responsibility of my life," Hipkins said at the ceremony. "I'm energized and excited by the challenges that lie ahead." Carmel Sepuloni was also sworn in as deputy prime minister, the first time a person with Pacific Island heritage has taken on the role.
Hipkins, 44, is known to many by the nickname "Chippy," which fits with his upbeat demeanor and skills as an amateur handyman. He served as education and police minister under Ardern. He rose to public prominence during the COVID-19 pandemic, when he took on a kind of crisis management role.
Ardern, 42, last week said she was resigning after more than five years in the role because she no longer had "enough in the tank" to do the job justice. The country's governor-general Cindy Kiro accepted her formal resignation on Wednesday. (QNA)