‘Chippy’ weathered Covid pandemic, now faces new storms and Labour’s flagging popularity ahead of 2023 election
New Zealand’s incoming prime minister, Chris Hipkins, steered the country through the Covid pandemic. An experienced career politician with a “fixer” reputation, he has a new storm to navigate: reversing Labour’s months-long polling slide and recapturing voters in the wake ofHipkins, 44, was the minister primarily charged with designing and implementing New Zealand’s Covid response.
Asked by reporters to introduce himself to the country, he said, “maybe I don’t have the best fashion sense in parliament” – referencing anwhere he appeared clad in a baseball cap, hoodie and reflective, wraparound glasses. Asked whether he was the first ginger-haired prime minister, he responded: “It’s about time we had a ginger at the top.”
Quips aside, in personality Hipkins is a very different politician from Ardern. Where she eschewed political mudwrestling to advocate “relentless positivity” and a “politics of kindness” on the campaign trail, Hipkins is known as a more cutthroat player, particularly in the debating chamber. Two terms spent on the opposition benches may serve him in the tight election campaign to come, where he will be required to take on Christopher Luxon, the leader of the National party.
Since Ardern’s leadership began, Hipkins has been widely regarded as a trusted member of her inner circle, and was handed meaty portfolios in education, policing, Covid response, public service, and as leader of the house. He and Ardern have worked closely together since the outset of their political careers: both were young operatives and advisers under the Clark government, and they entered parliament as opposition MPs in the same 2008 cohort.
Australia Latest News, Australia Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Chris Hipkins to be New Zealand's next prime ministerEducation Minister Chris Hipkins is set to become New Zealand's next prime minister after he was the only candidate to enter the race to replace Jacinda Ardern. 9News DETALS:
Read more »
Chris Hipkins to replace Jacinda Ardern as next New Zealand prime ministerChris Hipkins will become the next prime minister of New Zealand after he was the sole nominee for the role vacated by Jacinda Ardern.
Read more »
Chris Hipkins set to become next prime minister of New ZealandMinister selected by Labour party to succeed Jacinda Ardern after her shock resignation on Thursday
Read more »
Chris Hipkins to become New Zealand's next PM following Ardern's resignationEducation Minister Chris Hipkins will become New Zealand's next prime minister, following Jacinda Ardern's resignation.
Read more »
Labour MP Chris Hipkins set to be next NZ Prime MinisterLabour Education Minister Chris Hipkins is set to replace Jacinda Adern as New Zealand’s next prime minister after becoming the only nominee for the party’s leadership.
Read more »