Prime Minister

The Child Poverty Action Group (CPAG) acknowledges the work that Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has done to put child poverty on the political agenda.

While CPAG acknowledges the gains made under the leadership of Jacinda Ardern, we urgently ask for more to be done to support low-income families, and we look forward to the promised review of Working for Families. In addition, increases have been made to the minimum wage and protections offered for tenants in relation to the obligations of landlords to provide warm, healthy homes. As the first Minister for Child Poverty Reduction, she has advocated for children over challenging times, particularly given the disruption of the Covid pandemic.

Political commentators say there are several current ministers, including Kiri Allan and Chris Hipkins, who are potential candidates for the top job.

In December, the government announced [an inquiry](https://apnews.com/article/health-business-new-zealand-covid-economy-ed4548f52efc3740b9bd0cd19a9e40cc) into its own response. “Whoever it is that takes over on Sunday,” Shaw says, “this person’s job is to minimize the loss and then … Those issues mean that whoever becomes the next Prime Minister may not be in office long, with some experts predicting a backlash against the center-left Labour Party. [Ukraine Yellow Kitchen Photo](https://time.com/6247839/ukraine-yellow-kitchen-photo-dnipro/?utm_source=roundup&utm_campaign=20230105) [Toll of Working for Amazon](https://time.com/6248340/amazon-injuries-survey-labor-osha/?utm_source=roundup&utm_campaign=20230105) “I think he’s too closely associated with the COVID response,” says Shaw. But his ties to the pandemic response may also be problematic, as some in New Zealand have been intensely critical of the strict approach. The country won praise for its quick response and elimination strategy—which relied heavily on scientific advice and which, boosted by clear communication, meant New Zealand had one of the lowest COVID-19 mortality rates in the world. That includes Kiri Allan, the minister for justice, who if elected would become the country’s first openly gay leader and its first prime minister of Māori descent. “I don’t know that Allan would want to put herself forward for that.” They’ll have to contend with a slew of domestic issues that had taken a toll on Ardern’s domestic popularity, like soaring house prices and inflation. But Robertson has ruled himself out, as has deputy party leader Kelvin Davis.

New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has announced she's leaving office in the coming weeks. The announcement Thursday shocked analysts and has left ...

Meanwhile, analysts say this may present an opportunity for someone from her party to rise to the top ahead of the general election, which is expected to be competitive. As the pandemic slipped in priority, New Zealanders have become increasingly critical of her handling of the economy, rising inflation and mortgage rates and a perceived uptick in crime. An interim prime minister from Ardern's Labour Party is expected to be voted in this weekend to take over after she leaves office on February 7. WESTERMAN: Ardern has tackled many crises while in office, including the COVID-19 pandemic, a volcanic eruption and shootings at two mosques in Christchurch. WESTERMAN: She also won praise for standing her ground in a male-dominated world of politics. You know, she went off to the United Nations, and she decried isolationism.

New Zealanders will have a new prime minister by 7 February and will go to the polls on 14 October, after Jacinda Ardern announced her resignation to spend ...

Minister for Education and Leader of the House Chris Hipkins was a high-profile and hard-working MP during Covid, and he and Allan could make a formidable team. She is a genuine person and politician, and you can understand the reasons she's given about wanting more time with her fiancé and daughter. Front runners to be leader could include Minister of Justice Kiri Allan, who is a rising star and could be the first Māori PM, though she is relatively new to politics. The social and economic fallout of the pandemic has been so profound that having a fresh new face could help Labour's chances. English and National actually did well in the following year's election, gaining 44 percent of the vote. Now she's surprised everyone again with yesterday's decision to stand down, this could be a game changer for the October election.

Jacinda Ardern's decision to step away from politics leaves the role of Prime Minister up for grabs. Newsroom looks at the pros and cons of those who may ...

She’s not as recognisable as Hipkins or Little, not as popular with the base as Wood and certainly no generational reset, but she’s something of a jack of all trades. She also has keen political instincts, having served as campaign manager for Labour’s historic 2020 election victory and having done significant prep work in the same role ahead of this year’s vote. Maybe a fighter is what Labour needs to resurrect its changes – but we still don’t know whether the top job is one Woods even wants. The electorate has seen Little in a new light as one of Ardern’s go-to ministers. He was the face of abortion reform and the cannabis and euthanasia referenda in the lead-up to the 2020 election and took the hospital pass of Health Minister to shepherd in the new health system. She is a naturally charismatic figure, and Labour's Māori caucus may feel it is time for one of its members to take on the top job, after Kelvin Davis stepped aside after the 2020 election to allow Robertson a clear run to the deputy prime ministership. Allan would be a high-risk, high-reward choice, given the extent to which co-governance has become a polarising topic and the potential for an unpleasant race-based campaign from some quarters. Of course, Labour’s base will already support the party – the question for Little would be whether he’s managed to bring the public on-side since his last stint as leader. A head-to-head competition between two white, straight men is unlikely to warm the hearts of Labour's most fervent supporters. The Remutaka MP has been one of Labour's most reliable figures during its two terms in power, juggling a number of critical portfolios and most recently being called upon by Ardern to become police minister amidst a wave of negative headlines about rising crime. Labour's deputy leader Kelvin Davis has also indicated he has no intention of putting his hat in the ring – but there will be plenty of others who prove "unequivocally" keen to stand, even if they are staying mum for now. His role in the Covid-19 response could also make him a target for fringe elements, although those Kiwis would never vote for Labour anyway.

The Prime Minister has shocked the country with her resignation. Green Party co-leader James Shaw says he could see the toll being taken on the Prime ...