Chris Hipkins, the new NZ PM. Source : Wikimedia Commons (Used under Creative Commons)
Chris Hipkins has been officially sworn in as the 41st Prime Minister of New Zealand after serving as a member of Parliament since 2008.
Mr Hipkins was sworn in alongside Deputy Prime Minister Carmel Seuloni in Wellington minutes after former Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern officially left office.
Mr Hipkins’ first comments as PM showed how he was feeling.
“It feels pretty real now.” Mr Hipkins said.
Mr Hipkins was unanimously endorsed over the weekend by the Labour Party as the only nominee.
He also commended the Labour Party for the transition between Ms Ardern’s exit and his entrance.
“I take my hat off to the Labour MPs.” Mr Hipkins said.
“I’m so proud of our team.
“It has absolutely been the best leadership transition that I have ever seen in any party in the New Zealand Parliament.
“The maturity that we’ve seen from my colleagues and the way they’ve handled this process out has just been so impressive.” He said.
Ms Ardern said as she exited Parliament for the last time that she was grateful for the support she received, and that she wants Mr Hipkins to make his own mark on New Zealand.
“I have experienced such love, compassion, empathy, and kindness in the job.” Ms Ardern said.
“That has been my predominant experience.
“So I leave feeling gratitude for having this wonderful role for so many years.
“I would hate for anyone to view my departure as a negative commentary on New Zealand.
“This is for [Mr Hipkins] now.
“It’s for him to carve out his own space, be his own kind of leader.
“Actually, there is no advice I can really impart.
“I can share information, I can share experiences, but this is now for him.” She said.
Ms Ardern added that she will not comment on domestic politics during her continued term as a backbench MP.
Ms Ardern was previously one of the youngest leaders in the world when she took office in 2017 at age 37.
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