Watch: Chris Hipkins holds first post-Cabinet press conference as Prime Minister
Chris Hipkins will hold his first post-Cabinet press conference this afternoon after being sworn in as prime minister and formally completing the handover of power from Jacinda Ardern.
Hipkins' appointment was officially confirmed by Governor General Dame Cindy Kiro earlier this morning, making him the 41st Prime Minister of New Zealand.
Kiro said she looked forward to working with Hipkins and had come to "cherish and appreciate" the relationship between the Governor General and prime minister.
Ardern announced her resignation as prime minister in Napier late last week, saying she no longer had "enough in the tank to do it justice". She has been prime minister for five years and said she had hoped to find a way to prepare for another year and another term in office, but could not.
She gave her final speech as prime minister at Rātana celebrations Yesterday, where she thanked New Zealanders for their love and empathy.
"For my part, I want you to know that my overwhelming experience in this job of New Zealand and New Zealanders has been one of love, empathy and kindness," she said.
