Free Trial

Education Minister Hipkins New NZ PM

NEW ZEALAND

The Labour party’s Chris Hipkins was chosen unanimously to replace Jacinda Ardern as Prime Minister. He is due to be sworn in as PM on Wednesday after Ardern resigned last Thursday. Hipkins, Police and Education Minister, was the only one to stand for the position.

  • Elections are due this year and Ardern announced that they will be held on October 14. The new PM has 9 months to turn his party’s fortunes around, as the most recent poll, taken before Ardern’s resignation, shows Labour behind the nationals at 31.7% versus 37.2% (Taxpayers’ Union-Curia). Also, 50% favour the Nationals to manage the economy compared with 27% for Labour.
  • Ahead of the elections the new PM has said that he plans to “rein in” some projects that are not essential right now”, including some of the more controversial ones.
  • PM Hipkins has cited the rising cost of living as a priority for his government.
  • Hipkins was also the architect of NZ’s response to Covid.
  • He has named Carmel Sepuloni as his deputy and will keep Grant Robertson as finance minister.
    - The Australian/BBC

To read the full story

Close

Why MNI

MNI is the leading provider

of intelligence and analysis on the Global Fixed Income, Foreign Exchange and Energy markets. We use an innovative combination of real-time analysis, deep fundamental research and journalism to provide unique and actionable insights for traders and investors. Our "All signal, no noise" approach drives an intelligence service that is succinct and timely, which is highly regarded by our time constrained client base.

Our Head Office is in London with offices in Chicago, Washington and Beijing, as well as an on the ground presence in other major financial centres across the world.