Known as “Chippy”, Hipkins built a reputation for competence in tackling COVID-19 and was a troubleshooter for Ardern when other cabinet ministers were struggling.
First elected to parliament in 2008, he became a household name fronting the government’s response to the pandemic. He was appointed health minister in July 2020 before becoming the COVID-19 response minister at the end of the year.
Hipkins named Carmel Sepuloni as deputy prime minister, New Zealand’s first deputy prime minister of Pacific origin.
Sepuloni, 46, is of Samoan, Tongan and New Zealand European decent and lives in Auckland. She holds a number of portfolios, including social development and employment and arts, culture and heritage.
Hipkins said the rest of his team would be announced later.
TOUGH ROAD
Hipkins said he has seen the media focus on Ardern’s personal life, and wants to keep his two young children and his family out of the limelight.
He said a year ago he and his wife decided to live separately. “She’s still my best friend but we have made that decision in the best interest of our family.”
Local polls have shown Hipkins was the most popular potential candidate among voters. While Ardern was popular early in her five and a half year tenure, her ratings have slid on a backlash to strict COVID-19 curbs, rising living costs and mortgage rates, and concerns about crime.
Hipkins has a tough road ahead with Labour trailing the opposition in opinion polls and the country expected to fall into recession next quarter before a general election on Oct 14.
Hipkins acknowledged that he was taking on the job at a challenging time, and said his government will focus on “bread and butter issues”.
“Over the coming week the cabinet will be making decisions on reining in some programmes and projects that aren’t essential right now. We will be focused on middle and low income New Zealanders and the small businesses that are (finding) it tough to get by,” he said.
The economy is in sound shape, he said.
“Our books and our economy are in a better shape than many around the world and we are absolutely resolved to help the New Zealanders through these tough economic times,” he said.
Before Hipkins becomes prime minister, Ardern will tender her resignation to King Charles’ representative in New Zealand, Governor General Cindy Kiro. Kiro is to appoint Hipkins to the role and he will be sworn in. Hipkins said he will be sworn in on Wednesday.
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