Chris Hipkins can afford to feel pleased with his first days in office as Prime Minister of New Zealand. In his inaugural press conference, Hipkins came across as thoughtful and intelligent. In a welcome change from his predecessor, Jacinda Ardern, he was also gratifyingly dull.
Hipkins has vowed to shift his focus back to basics, concentrating on the cost-of-living crisis and tackling crime. Gone are some of the more contentious policies, such as unemployment insurance, espoused by Ardern. ‘Over the coming week,’ he said, ‘the cabinet will be making decisions on reining in some programmes and projects that aren’t essential right now’.
His warning against ‘doing too much too fast’, might have been just what the spin-doctor ordered for the 44-year-old as he seeks to introduce himself anew as the South Pacific nation’s 41st premier.
‘It’s a big day for a boy from the Hutt,’ Hipkins added, namechecking the place he grew up in and which itself has a reputation for being less than electrifying.
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