Chris Hipkins sworn in as NZ prime minister

STORY: The Labour party elected former COVID-19 Response and Police minister Hipkins, 44, to lead the party and the country on Sunday (January 22). This comes after the surprise resignation of Ardern, 42, who said she had "no more in the tank" to lead the country.

Hipkins and his deputy Carmel Sepuloni - the first person of Pacific Islander descent to hold the role - were sworn in by New Zealand Governor-General Cindy Kiro, in a ceremony lasting a few minutes.

Hipkins, who has so far refused to comment on his policies since being elected leader, will hold his first cabinet meeting later on Wednesday.