WELLINGTON: On Wednesday, hundreds of people gathered to cheer Jacinda Ardern as she exited the New Zealand parliament to announce her resignation as prime minister. They then quickly swore in Chris Hipkins as her successor.
After leading the nation through a series of natural disasters, its worst-ever terrorist attack, and the COVID-19 epidemic, Ardern claimed last week that she no longer had “enough in the tank.”
Chris Hipkins said he was “energized and enthused by the challenges ahead” as he took the oath of office from Governor-General Cindy Kiro in Wellington.
He declared, “This is the greatest honor and duty of my life.”
The 44-year-current old’s challenge is to boost the government’s flagging popularity, which has been plagued by a faltering economy and a rising conservative opposition.
Earlier on Wednesday, Ardern made her final public appearance in her capacity as prime minister. As she left the recognisable Beehive parliament building, hundreds of staff members and passersby spontaneously started applauding.
One of the first people to congratulate Ardern was Prince William.
On his official Twitter account, he said, “Thank you Jacinda Ardern for your friendship, leadership, and support throughout the years, not least at the time of my grandmother’s passing.
Yusuf/Cat Stevens, a folk musician, also gave a concert in honour of the 51 victims of the 2019 Christchurch mosque shooting and commended Ardern.
As a “supporter of the peace train who kept New Zealanders together following the terror incident in Christchurch,” he characterised Ardern on Twitter.
Following her initial election as prime minister in 2017, Ardern rode the “Jacindamania” wave to a resounding victory in 2020, securing a second term.
diminishing popularity
But as it struggles to deal with rising inflation, a housing affordability problem, and an impending recession, her center-left government has become more and more ineffective in recent months.
Hipkins described taking up “the baton of duty” from Ardern as a “immensely proud moment” after presiding over his first cabinet meeting on Wednesday afternoon.
When pressed about other prospective policy changes, he was evasive but singled out the expense of living as one of his top goals.
New Zealand’s standing on the international scene links to Ardern, a leading figure in progressive politics.
Hipkins stated that while he will be cultivating his own network, he anticipated Ardern “would put in a good word.”
The two-time father goes by the moniker “Chippy” and identifies as a “normal, average Kiwi” from a working-class background who enjoys sausage rolls and riding a bicycle to work.
He has denounced the “utterly reprehensible” online harassment directed towards Ardern, which grew worse while she was prime minister.
Ardern stated on Tuesday that she would “hate” for people to interpret her leaving as “a bad reflection on New Zealand.”
She said, “I leave feeling thankful for having had this fantastic position for so many years.”
Ardern has stated her aim to withdraw from the daily political grind while still remaining a member of parliament.
Additionally, she has stated that she intends to wed Clarke Gayford, a well-known television host of a fishing show, and that she is eager to send her daughter Neve to school.
Gayford said he was incredibly proud of Ardern’s “superhuman efforts” and that there had been an “amazing outpouring of gratitude and respect” in response to her departure.
