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☆ New Zealand chooses 'Chippy' Hipkins to replace charismatic Ardern
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-22 | by ( Lucy Craymer | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

"This is the biggest privilege and biggest responsibility of my life," Hipkins said at a news conference announcing his appointment. Hipkins immediately acknowledged the leadership of Ardern, who he called one of New Zealand’s greatest prime ministers and an inspiration to women and girls everywhere. Known as "Chippy", Hipkins built a reputation for competence in tackling COVID-19 and was a troubleshooter for Ardern when other cabinet ministers were struggling. Hipkins named Carmel Sepuloni as deputy prime minister, New Zealand's first deputy prime minister of Pacific origin. Before Hipkins becomes prime minister, Ardern will tender her resignation to King Charles' representative in New Zealand, Governor General Cindy Kiro.

☆ New Zealand's incoming PM says he is 'making haste' on changes in priorities
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-22 | by ( Lucy Craymer | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

WELLINGTON, Jan 23 (Reuters) - New Zealand's incoming Prime Minister Chris Hipkins said on Monday that his government would be "making haste" on reprioritising and looking at whether current policies need to be scaled down. Hipkins appeared Monday on a number of New Zealand media after he was chosen on Sunday to replace Jacinda Ardern as head of the Labour party, thereby making him the country's next prime minister. Hipkins told TVNZ's Breakfast on Monday that the government would be refocusing on "bread and butter issues" for New Zealand including inflation and would look at reining in other policies, without elaborating. "We'll be making haste on all of those issues," Hipkins told a second morning programme the AM Show. Hipkins is expected to be sworn in as prime minister on Wednesday after Ardern officially resigns.

☆ New Zealand's ruling party confirms Hipkins as new prime minister - Radio New Zealand
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-22 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: 1 min

WELLINGTON, Jan 22 (Reuters) - New Zealand's ruling Labour Party selected Chris Hipkins to replace Jacinda Ardern as leader of the Labour party and prime minister in a meeting on Sunday, Radio New Zealand reported. Hipkins, 44, was the only nomination for the job and his confirmation by the 64 lawmakers, known as the Labour caucus, was largely a formality. Hipkins is expected to hold a news conference shortly to officially announce the decision. Reporting by Lucy Craymer, writing by Praveen Menon; Editing by William MallardOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ New Zealand lawmakers confirm Hipkins as Jacinda Ardern's replacement - media
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-22 | by ( Lucy Craymer | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

He was first elected to parliament for the Labour Party in 2008 and became a household name fronting the government's response to the pandemic. The ruling party is expected to hold a press conference shortly to officially announce the decision from the caucus meeting. The party has also selected Carmel Sepuloni as the deputy prime minister, Radio New Zealand and other media reported. Grant Robertson, who is currently Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister, is expected to hold onto the job of Finance Minister. Before Hipkins officially becomes prime minister, Ardern must tender her resignation to King Charles III's representative in New Zealand, Governor General Cindy Kiro.

☆ Chinese New Year Mass Travel Is Back: What’s Next for the Economy
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-21 | by ( Wall Street Journal | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

Watch: New Zealand’s Jacinda Ardern Says She’ll Step Down New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announced Thursday that she would step down, saying she “no longer had enough in the tank.” During her more than five years as leader, she steered the country through the pandemic and faced tough economic challenges. Photo: Kerry Marshall/Getty Images

☆ Meet the man set to replace Jacinda Ardern as New Zealand PM
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-21 | by ( ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +2 min

Chris Hipkins, who played a significant role in New Zealand’s response to the Covid-19 pandemic, is set to replace Jacinda Ardern as prime minister after emerging on Saturday as the only candidate to lead the ruling Labour Party. “I think we’re an incredibly strong team,” Hipkins told a news conference after the party announced him as the sole candidate. A cabinet reshuffle proposed by Ardern would go ahead, but he said he planned to keep Grant Robertson as finance minister. Hipkins said he had spoken to Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, who tweeted the two had had “a warm discussion”. He was appointed health minister in July 2020 before becoming the Covid response minister at the end of the year.

☆ Chris Hipkins, Ex-Covid Minister, on Track to Become New Zealand’s Next Leader
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-21 | by ( Mike Cherney | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

SYDNEY— Chris Hipkins , a lawmaker best known for serving as New Zealand’s Covid-19 minister, is poised to become the country’s next leader after Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said earlier in the week that she would step down. Mr. Hipkins, a minister who currently oversees the education, police and public service portfolios, told reporters on Saturday that he is the only nominee to lead New Zealand’s center-left Labour Party, setting him up to become prime minister. Mr. Hipkins still needs to win a party vote, but political analysts said that is now effectively a formality.

☆ New Zealand PM Jacinda Ardern's resignation shows burnout is still going strong. Here's how to know when you're there and why calling it quits might be the right thing.
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-21 | by ( Bethany Biron | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

The resignation of New Zealand PM Jacinda Ardern is shedding light on burnout among top global leaders. "I no longer have enough in the tank to do the job justice," Ardern said on Thursday. Insider spoke to experts to discuss how to identify burnout and when quitting might be the best option. Here's how to assess burnout and recognize when it might be time to hit the road, according to experts. "The reality is that burnout really happens in the shadows.

☆ New Zealand farmers sour on Ardern’s Labour, complicating new PM's path
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-21 | by ( Lucy Craymer | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

Rural voters say reforms by Ardern's Labour Party, meant to improve the environmental impact of farming, are costly and ineffective. Farmers worry that the extra costs and work will make their products more expensive and less competitive in foreign markets. The government has proposed an unpopular plan for farmers to pay for methane emissions from their sheep and cows. New Zealand farmers are some of the most efficient in the world. Andrew Hoggard, national president of Federated Farmers, said many Labour regulations were impractical and made farming difficult.

[1/2] Chris Hipkins speaks to members of the media, after being confirmed as the only nomination to replace Jacinda Ardern as leader of the Labour Party, outside New Zealand's parliament in Wellington, New Zealand January 21, 2023. We are different people though, and I'm sure that people will see that," Hipkins told a news conference on Saturday after emerging as the only candidate to lead the ruling Labour Party. First elected to parliament in 2008, Hipkins became a household name fronting the government's response to the pandemic. He was appointed health minister in July 2020 before becoming the COVID response minister at the end of the year. Hipkins is known around parliament for his sense of humour - including an ability to laugh at himself.

☆ How New Zealand’s Jacinda Ardern Went from Pandemic Hero to Political Casualty
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-20 | by ( Mike Cherney | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

SYDNEY— Jacinda Ardern ‘s tough response to the Covid-19 pandemic catapulted her party to a historic election landslide in late 2020. But about a year later, her popularity began to wane. New Zealand’s strict border closure, designed to keep out the virus, was hurting tourism businesses, educational institutions and other sectors that relied on visitors, foreign students and workers from overseas. Auckland, the country’s biggest city, was still locked down for several months near the end of 2021. New Zealanders were frustrated that their bigger neighbor, Australia, appeared to be reopening faster.

☆ Drone Video Shows Large Fire in Peru’s Capital Amid Growing Protests
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-20 | by ( ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

Watch: New Zealand’s Jacinda Ardern Says She’ll Step DownNew Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announced Thursday that she would step down, saying she “no longer had enough in the tank.” During her more than five years as leader, she steered the country through the pandemic and faced tough economic challenges. Photo: Kerry Marshall/Getty Images

☆ What Attacks on Russian Air Bases Tell Us About Moscow’s Vulnerabilities
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-20 | by ( ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

Watch: New Zealand’s Jacinda Ardern Says She’ll Step DownNew Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announced Thursday that she would step down, saying she “no longer had enough in the tank.” During her more than five years as leader, she steered the country through the pandemic and faced tough economic challenges. Photo: Kerry Marshall/Getty Images

☆ Explainer: When is the New Zealand prime minister election and how will it work?
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-20 | by ( Lewis Jackson | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

SYDNEY, Jan 20 (Reuters) - New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern will step down no later than Feb. 7 after a shock resignation on Thursday in which she said she "had no more in the tank". Leadership hopefuls will gather on Sunday when the centre-left Labour party caucus meets to elect a new leader, who will become prime minister. With Labour holding a majority in parliament, whoever they elect will become prime minister, helming the country for a little more than eight months before a general election set for Oct. 14. The caucus vote will be weighted at 40%, party members at 40% and unions at 20%. Transport Minister Michael Wood and Minister of Justice Kiri Allan are newer faces in parliament, elected in 2016 and 2017, respectively.

☆ Chris Hipkins set to replace Jacinda Ardern as New Zealand prime minister
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-20 | by ( Lucy Craymer | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/2] A view shows the Executive Wing of the New Zealand Parliament complex, popularly known as "Beehive" because of the building’s shape, in Wellington, New Zealand July 23, 2020. REUTERS/Praveen MenonWELLINGTON, Jan 21 (Reuters) - Chris Hipkins is set to replace Jacinda Ardern as New Zealand's next prime minister after emerging as the only candidate nominated to lead the Labour Party, the party said on Saturday. Hipkins is expected to be confirmed as the new leader at a meeting of Labour’s 64 lawmakers, or Caucus, on Sunday. Hipkins is currently minister for police, education and public service as well as leader of the House. Hipkins becomes prime minister until the party’s term ends.

☆ Cellnex takeover would disrupt key strategic pivot
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-20 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

LONDON, Jan 20 (Reuters Breakingviews) - A week after founder Tobias Martinez resigned from his chief executive role, Cellnex (CLNX.MC) could also lose its shareholders. Meanwhile the departure of Martinez was expected to herald a return to sobriety in a sector where low interest rates and high leverage boosted consolidation. In the age of higher interest rates, it may be time for the former predator to become prey. Okdiario hints that Cellnex’s main shareholders, led by Italy’s Benetton family with an 8% stake, are inclined to sell. Everything has a price, but the high premium needed to convince shareholders to change tack amid a strategic pivot could be hard to justify.

☆ “Angry Birds” buyout may have more levels to beat
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-20 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

LONDON, Jan 20 (Reuters Breakingviews) - Remember “Angry Birds”? Finland-listed Rovio Entertainment (ROVIO.HE) has used the round-headed creatures to create a long series of mobile games, two films, plush toys and more. That makes strong long-time brands like “Angry Birds” more attractive. Rovio’s share price was hovering around 7.50 euros on Friday morning, or 20% below Playtika’s bid. That’s probably because Rovio’s board, which said it learnt about the offer “nearly simultaneously” with its public release, sounded unimpressed.

☆ Mother, politician, trailblazer. How Jacinda Ardern became an icon for millions
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-19 | by ( Aina J. Khan | Aina Is A Freelance Reporter With Nbc News. | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +6 min

In the six years since then, she has become an icon of the left and a champion for women in public life, bringing a compassionate and authoritative energy to the hypermasculine realm of world politics. Jacinda Ardern, New Zealand's prime minister, during a news conference in Sydney in June. Data released last year to New Zealand’s Newshub media outlet showed police recorded 18 threats to the prime minister in 2019, 32 in 2020 and 50 in 2021. If that person receives more than two-thirds of caucus support, Ardern said, she will resign soon after and the new leader will be sworn in as prime minister. Ardern said she plans to remain in Parliament until April, avoiding the need for a snap vote in her suburban Auckland electorate.

☆ New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern Announces Resignation
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-19 | by ( Mike Cherney | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

SYDNEY—New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said she would step down by Feb. 7 after over five years as leader, as the country grapples with the prospect of a recession stemming partly from its strict response to the Covid-19 pandemic. Ms. Ardern, 42 years old, has struggled to reverse her Labour Party’s slide in the polls ahead of an election due later this year, and said on Thursday that she lacked the energy to do the job. It marks a turnaround for a leader whose pandemic policies, including lengthy border closures, helped her party to a landslide win in the last election in 2020.

☆ Watch: New Zealand’s Jacinda Ardern Says She’ll Step Down
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-19 | by ( Wall Street Journal | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

Watch: California Floods Leave Behind Washed Away Houses, Submerged Cars Homes were destroyed by mudslides and cars were trapped by floods as heavy rains pummeled California on Monday. Forecasters say it would be the end of a series of storms that have hit the state since Christmas. Photo: Caroline Brehman/Shutterstock

☆ New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern to Step Down
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-19 | by ( Mike Cherney | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said she is proud of what she has accomplished during her time as leader. SYDNEY—New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said she would step down by Feb. 7 after 5½ years as leader because she lacks the energy to do the job ahead of an election later this year. “I know what this job takes, and I know that I no longer have enough in the tank to do it justice,” Ms. Ardern said Thursday. “But I absolutely believe and know there are others around me who do.”

New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern will step down by next month because she no longer has "enough in the tank" to do the job justice, she said. ET Wednesday) she would not seek re-election and planned to resign no later than Feb. 7. If a new leader is selected, Ardern said she will resign soon after and a new prime minister will be sworn in. Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern speaks at Parliament in Wellington, New Zealand, on May 13, 2020. Her liberal Labour Party won reelection two years ago in a landslide of historic proportions, but recent polls have put her party behind its conservative rivals.

☆ Dollar rises on safe haven bids; yen regains footing
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-19 | by ( Rae Wee | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

FILE PHOTO: A U.S. hundred dollar bill and Japanese 10,000 yen notes are seen in this photo illustration in Tokyo, February 28, 2013. The fresh wave of risk aversion - compounded by news of job cuts by tech giants Microsoft and Amazon - also kept the dollar in bid. The euro was last 0.39% lower at 138.58 yen, while sterling fell 0.23% to 158.27 yen, as markets continued to test the resolve of the BOJ’s ultra-dovish stance. “While there’s still high expectations for a policy shift ... I think that will keep the yen pretty elevated in the near term.”Elsewhere, the kiwi fell 0.31% to $0.6425.

☆ Recessions risks knock stocks, speculators drawn back to yen
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-19 | by ( Tom Westbrook | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

The Nikkei dip and the bounce for the yen suggest such speculation is here to stay, at least for now. April was another possibility, she added, since by then the BOJ would have a new governor. "My guess would be that more speculators would look to build positions going into these meetings." Microsoft's announcement of 10,000 layoffs and hawkish comments from Cleveland Fed President Loretta Mester and St. Louis Fed President James Bullard added to the gloom, with both Fed officials expecting U.S. interest rates above 5% this year. The Australian dollar was last down 0.5% at $0.6907, losing ground after data showed an unexpected fall in Australian employment last month.

☆ World leaders react to New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern's shock resignation
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-19 | by ( Matthew Loh | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announced her resignation on Thursday. In a tweet, Canada's Justin Trudeau thanked Ardern for her friendship and leadership. Anthony Albanese, Australia's prime minister since 2022, tweeted on Thursday morning that Ardern had "shown the world how to lead with intellect and strength." "Jacinda has been a fierce advocate for New Zealand, an inspiration to so many and a great friend to me." Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau called Ardern his "friend" in a tweet on the same day.

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