Wellington: Chris Hipkins, New Zealand's incoming prime minister, on Sunday criticised the abuse faced by outgoing PM Jacinda Ardern. He called the treatment "abhorrent" and vowed to protect his own family from similar experiences.
Jacinda Ardern stepped down from the top position in the country three days ago saying she no longer had "enough in the tank" to do a job that required commitment. While she did not mention the cyberbullying experience during her tenure that lasted over five years, many politicians and public figures pointed out the difficult experience she had to endure. After she announced the surprise resignation, a debate broke out across the nation about the pressures she had to face.
Hipkins was unanimously endorsed by Labour Party MPs as the party's leader and the nation's next prime minister. He was the education and police minister.
"The way Jacinda has been treated, particularly by some segments of our society, and they are a small minority, has been utterly abhorrent. It does not represent who we are as a country. Men have a responsibility to call out such treatment and say it's not ok," said the 44-year-old. Hipkins has led the efforts against the Covid outbreak for almost two years. He said he understood that putting himself forward as a leader meant that he was public properly but his family is not.
The future PM has two children - a six-year-old son and a four-year-old daughter. He told the media that he wants them to grow up with a "typical kiwi kid life." He is also a divorcee and stated that his "amicable separation" from his wife is his own business. "I have seen the enormous scrutiny and pressure placed on Jacinda and her family and so my response will be to keep my family completely out of the spotlight," said the politician.
Ardern will formally step down on Wednesday and Hipkins will be sworn in as New Zealand's 41st prime minister by the governor-general.
Speaking about his plans for the country, he said New Zealand will switch its focus from Covid-19 to the economy. "Covid-19 and the global pandemic created a health crisis. Now it's created an economic one and that's where my government's focus will be. We know we've got more work to do when it comes to re-engaging young people, to tackle the underlying causes of criminal offending."
He also announced that the country will also have its first deputy prime minister of Pacific Island descent, Carmel Sepuloni. She has been the minister for social development since 2017. The 46-year-old's father is of Samoan and Tongan heritage.