NEW ZEALAND: New Zealand’s next Prime Minister Chris Hipkins became a household name leading the nation’s closed-border crackdown on COVID-19 and is seen as a “tough and capable” politician.
The 44-year-old Police and Education Minister emerged on Saturday as his Labour Party’s sole contender to replace Jacinda Ardern following her shock resignation barely 48 hours earlier. He is to be formally endorsed for the job on Sunday.
“I think we’re an incredibly strong team,” Hipkins told a news conference after being announced as the sole candidate. “We’ve gone through this process with unity and we’ll continue to do that. I’m feeling really fortunate to be working with such an amazing group of people who have a real commitment to the service of the people of New Zealand.” Hipkins, who describes himself as an “outdoor enthusiast” keen on mountain biking, hiking and swimming, studied politics and criminology at Victoria University and then worked in the industry training sector.
Before becoming an MP in 2008, he worked as a senior adviser to two education ministers and former Prime Minister Helen Clark.
- THE STRAITS TIMES
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