New Zealand Prime Minister

Chris Hipkins sworn in as New Zealand prime minister following Jacinda Ardern's surprise resignation

Key points:

  • A general election has been called for October
  • Mr Hipkins was the only candidate to replace Ms Ardern 
  • Mr Hipkins is likely to visit Australia soon

The Labour Party elected the former COVID-19 response and police minister Mr Hipkins, 44, to lead the party and the country on Sunday.

Marape farewells NZ outgoing PM

He said this today (Tuesday, January 24, 2023) after PM Ardern announced last Thursday (January 19, 2023) that she would resign as New Zealand Labour leader and prime minister by February 7, 2023, pending a leadership election.

“Prime Minister Ardern was one the first world leaders I met, in February 2020, on one of my first official overseas engagements to New Zealand as Prime Minister,” Marape said.

“We have also met at the United Nations General Assembly in 2021 and 2022 in New York City, Pacific Islands Forum in Suva in 2022 and APEC in 2022 in Bangkok.

Jacinda Ardern announces resignation as New Zealand Prime Minister

Key points:

  • Ms Ardern choked back tears saying she did not have the energy to seek re-election
  • Her final day in office will be February 7
  • She announced New Zealand's general election will be held on October 14

Ms Ardern choked back tears on Thursday as she said she did not have the energy to seek re-election.

She said her final day in office will be February 7.

"I know what this job takes. And I know that I no longer have enough in the tank to do it justice," she said.

Ardern to chair July 16 meeting

The 40-year-old PM said this is the first time in APEC’s history that leaders have held an additional meeting at Leaders’ level, and it reflects their desire to navigate together out of the COVID-19 pandemic and economic crisis.

“APEC economies have suffered their biggest contraction since the Second World War over the past year, with 81 million jobs lost. Responding collectively is vital to accelerate the economic recovery for the region,” she stated.

New Zealand PM's breakneck tour a hit with islands

Jacinda Ardern has completed a whirlwind trip of the Pacific Islands, stopping in Samoa, Niue, Tonga and the Cook Islands.

It was her first trip as Prime Minister, where she took the chance to meet with all the heads of the countries.

At every island there was a visit to some sort of school and it was in these moments that Ms Ardern shone the most.

She seemed to thoroughly enjoy the encounters with children. She laughed and joked with them and sat patiently through many performances.

'Honour and a privilege' - Jacinda Ardern

"Mr English has already called me this evening and acknowledged that for the national party negotiations have now concluded," Ms Ardern said.

At a long-awaited press conference at the Beehive Theatrette earlier this evening, New Zealand First leader Winston Peters announced the party had decided to go with Labour.

Labour has 46 seats, which together with the Green's eight and New Zealand First's nine, gives them 63 seats in the house, and a majority of seven over National.

Envoy will push for NZ to fund PNG sports

During the launching of the Jonah Lomu Cup in Port Moresby, Fautua said he will make strong representation for PNG to be included in the NZ$10 million (K20 million) Pacific Sports Partnership Program (PSP).

The PSP is focused on the development of rugby and netball in the Cook Islands, Fiji, Tonga and Samoa.

However, Fautua says PNG has to prove to itself and to the region that it is worthy of starting something that will develop the sport and the country.