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☆ New Zealand PM tests COVID-positive two weeks before election
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-01 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/3] Prime Minister and Labour Party Leader Chris Hipkins speaks at the New Zealand Labour Party's election campaign launch event in Auckland, New Zealand, September 2, 2023. REUTERS/David Rowland/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsSYDNEY, Oct 1 (Reuters) - New Zealand Prime Minister Chris Hipkins has tested positive for COVID-19 and will work remotely while isolating, his office said on Sunday, just two weeks before a general election in which his Labour party is struggling. The positive test will temporarily sideline Hipkins in the campaign for the Oct. 14 election. Deputy Prime Minister Carmel Sepuloni would stand in for Hipkins at a Samoan church service in Auckland on Sunday, a spokesperson said. The prime minister's office said further updates on his schedule "will be provided in due course".

Persons: Chris Hipkins, David Rowland, Carmel Sepuloni, Hipkins, Sam McKeith, Nick Zieminski, William Mallard Organizations: Labour Party, New Zealand Labour, REUTERS, Rights, Zealand, Labour, National, Thomson Locations: Auckland , New Zealand, Hipkins, Auckland, Sydney

☆ New Zealand PM Tests COVID-Positive Two Weeks Before Election
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-30 | by ( Sept. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +1 min

SYDNEY (Reuters) -New Zealand Prime Minister Chris Hipkins has tested positive for COVID-19 and will work remotely while isolating, his office said on Sunday, just two weeks before a general election in which his Labour party is struggling. The positive test will temporarily sideline Hipkins in the campaign for the Oct. 14 election. Labour has been sliding in the opinion polls, with the centre-right National party leading by 31.9% to 26.5% in a recent survey. The prime minister's office said further updates on his schedule "will be provided in due course". The government removed its last COVID restrictions in August, but health authorities still recommend that people stay home for five days if feeling unwell or if they have tested positive.

Persons: Chris Hipkins, Carmel Sepuloni, Hipkins, Sam McKeith, Nick Zieminski, William Mallard Organizations: SYDNEY, Zealand, Labour, National Locations: Hipkins, Auckland, Sydney

☆ The New Zealand prime minister's plane is so old they sent an empty backup plane so he didn't get stranded in China
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-26 | by ( Associated Press | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

New Zealand uses Betty, an aging Boeing 757, to transport Prime Minister Chris Hipkins. Betty's so prone to breakdowns that they sent an empty backup so he didn't get stranded in China. The twin Royal New Zealand Air Force planes are about 30 years old and due to be replaced by 2030. Back in New Zealand, acting Prime Minister Carmel Sepuloni was left to explain. In 2016, then Prime Minister John Key was on his way to India with a delegation when they got stuck in Australia until a backup plane was sent from New Zealand.

Persons: Betty, Chris Hipkins, Chris Hipkins didn't, Carmel Sepuloni, John Key, Key, Sepuloni, David Seymour, We're Organizations: Boeing, Royal New Zealand Air Force, Morning, Air Force, ACT Locations: China, WELLINGTON , New Zealand, United States, New Zealand, Manila, Wellington, Beijing, India, Australia, Mumbai

☆ New Zealand cancels flights as deluge from cyclone looms
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-12 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

New Zealand Prime Minister Chris Hipkins (C) and Deputy Prime Minister Carmel Sepuloni (L) are briefed at Waka Kotahi Auckland Transport operations room ahead of Cyclone Gabrielle's arrival on February 12, 2023 in Auckland, New Zealand. New Zealand's national carrier canceled dozens of flights Sunday as Aucklanders braced for a deluge from Cyclone Gabrielle, two weeks after a record-breaking storm swamped the nation's largest city and killed four people. Air New Zealand said it was canceling all domestic flights to and from Auckland through midday Tuesday as well as many international flights. The carrier said some international routes would continue operating, although flights might need to be diverted from Auckland. "Please do take this seriously, we do expect severe weather is on the way," New Zealand Prime Minister Chris Hipkins told reporters.

☆ New Zealand's Auckland braces for ex-cyclone Gabrielle impact
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-12 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Residents of New Zealand's biggest city were urged on Sunday to prepare for the impact of a storm that buffeted Australia's Norfolk Island overnight. Gabrielle, downgraded to a sub-tropical low pressure system from a Category 2 cyclone, passed over Norfolk Island, its "most destructive winds" missing the island, the Australian outpost's emergency management authority said. Wind and rain were "starting to spread across NZ from the north", with a 133 kph (83 mph) wind gust reported overnight on the country's North Island, MetService said. The storm was on track to lie off Cape Reinga at the North Island's north end on Sunday afternoon, after moving away from Norfolk Island, MetService said. "There is still considerable clean up to be undertaken and it may take a while for services such as power to be restored," Emergency Management Norfolk Island said.

☆ Support for New Zealand's Labour Party jumps after Hipkins replaces Ardern
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-30 | by ( Lucy Craymer | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

WELLINGTON, Jan 31 (Reuters) - Support for New Zealand's Labour Party has jumped to its highest level in almost a year after Chris Hipkins replaced Jacinda Ardern as prime minister and leader of the Labour Party. National is sitting at 37%, and is behind in Labour for the first time since early 2022. Hipkins had nailed the political messaging and managed to reconnect with former Labour supporters, said political commentator and former National Party staffer Ben Thomas. Carmel Sepuloni, the new deputy prime minister, who is of Samoan, Tongan and European descent, will be associate foreign minister. Hipkins's first official trip as prime minister will be to Australia next week where he is scheduled to meet with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.

☆ Chris Hipkins sworn in as New Zealand’s 41st prime minister
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-25 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Chris Hipkins is sworn in as prime minister on Jan. 25, 2023 in Wellington, New Zealand. The country's previous prime minister, Jacinda Ardern, unexpectedly resigned the previous week. Chris Hipkins was sworn in Wednesday as New Zealand's 41st prime minister, following the unexpected resignation last week of Jacinda Ardern. Carmel Sepuloni was also sworn in as deputy prime minister, the first time a person with Pacific Island heritage has taken on the role. After the ceremony, Hipkins said as an aside to reporters: "It feels pretty real now."

WELLINGTON, Jan 25 (Reuters) - Labour leader Chris Hipkins was sworn in as New Zealand's prime minister in a formal ceremony on Wednesday, following the resignation of outgoing Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern last week. The Labour party elected former COVID-19 Response and Police minister Hipkins, 44, to lead the party and the country on Sunday. Hipkins and his deputy Carmel Sepuloni - the first person of Pacific Islander descent to hold the role - were then sworn in, in a ceremony lasting a few minutes. Hours later, Hipkins met with journalists after his first cabinet meeting as Prime Minister. 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.

☆ 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 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.

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