Chris Hipkins set to replace New Zealand PM Jacinda Ardern
Hipkins was first elected to parliament in 2008 and was appointed minister for Covid-19 in November 2020.
New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern on Thursday gave birth to a baby girl, weighing 3.31kg (7.3lb), at an Auckland hospital, becoming only the second world leader to do so while in office.
“I’m sure we’re going through all of the emotions new parents go through, but at the same time feeling so grateful for all the kindness and best wishes from so many people. Thank you,” the 37-year-old said in a statement.
Ardern added that she and the daughter were doing well.
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Ardern was admitted to a hospital in Auckland early on Thursday morning, four days after her due date. She has now passed on her duties to the Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters.
The prime minister will take six weeks of maternity leave.
She is the youngest prime minister the country has had since 1856.
In 1990, Benazir Bhutto gave birth to a daughter while serving as Pakistan’s prime minister, becoming the first elected world leader to do so.
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