Jacinda Ardern's successor Chris Hipkins sworn in as New Zealand PM

YEREVAN, JANUARY 25, ARMENPRESS. Chris Hipkins has been sworn in as New Zealand's 41st prime minister, BBC reports.

The 44-year-old was formally appointed to the role in Wellington, a week afterJacinda Ardern's shock resignation.

Ardern, 42, had said she no longer has "enough in the tank" to lead the country. The country's governor-general Cindy Kiro accepted her formal resignation on Wednesday.

Hipkins built a reputation as the minister who led New Zealand's Covid-19 strategy.

At the ruling Labour Party's caucus over the weekend, Mr Hipkins received unanimous support to be promoted to lead the country, and now facesthe uphill task of retaining powerin the upcoming general elections in October.

Opinion polls have suggested that his party is trailing its conservative opposition, the National Party, in popularity.