NZ Election: Jacinda Ardern is New Zealand prime minister

New Zealand finally has a new prime minister, a month after the country’s election.

Labour’s Jacinda Ardern was confirmed as the country’s new leader after striking up a coalition with Winston Peters’ New Zealand First party.

The election took place on September 23 and Ardern was named the winner this afternoon. 

Ardern, 37, succeeds Bill English, who took office last year when his predecessor John Key stood down as prime minister 

Ardern, 37, succeeds Bill English, who took office last year when his predecessor John Key stood down as prime minister. 

Ardern will be New Zealand’s youngest ever prime minister – tied with former prime minister Edward Stafford who was also 37 when he took office 161 years ago.

Ardern will become New Zealand’s third female prime minister, following in the footsteps of Jenny Shipley and Helen Clark. 

Ardern was only the leader of the Labour party for 80 days before she was voted in.

The new prime minister is due to hold her first press conference at 8pm New Zealand time.  

Labour's Jacinda Ardern has been confirmed as the country's new leader after striking up a coalition with Winston Peters' New Zealand First party

Labour’s Jacinda Ardern has been confirmed as the country’s new leader after striking up a coalition with Winston Peters’ New Zealand First party

Labour Party leader Jacinda Ardern and her partner Clarke Gayford during the 2017 Constellation Cup match

Labour Party leader Jacinda Ardern and her partner Clarke Gayford during the 2017 Constellation Cup match

Ardern’s shock elevation to New Zealand’s prime ministership might cause some heartburn for Australian Foreign Minister Julie Bishop.

NZ First leader Peters announced on Thursday he was forming a coalition government with Ardern’s Labour party, ending nine years of National rule.

Opposition Leader Bill Shorten was quick to congratulate Ms Ardern, 37, on Twitter.

But so far the Turnbull government is yet to respond to the news.

NZ First leader Winston Peters announced on Thursday he was forming a coalition government with Ms Ardern's (right) Labour party, ending nine years of National rule

NZ First leader Winston Peters announced on Thursday he was forming a coalition government with Ms Ardern’s (right) Labour party, ending nine years of National rule

Jacinda Ardern's shock elevation to New Zealand's prime ministership might cause some heartburn for Foreign Minister Julie Bishop

Jacinda Ardern’s shock elevation to New Zealand’s prime ministership might cause some heartburn for Foreign Minister Julie Bishop

There might be some initial awkwardness in Australian-New Zealand relations with Ms Ardern’s rise to power.

In August, Foreign Minister Julie Bishop accused New Zealand’s opposition Labour Party of conspiring to undermine her government.

She said Australia’s opposition Labor party had used its New Zealand counterpart to raise questions about Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce’s Kiwi citizenship in the New Zealand parliament.

‘This is highly unethical at least but more importantly it puts at risk the relationship between the Australian government and the New Zealand government,’ Ms Bishop said at the time.

Ms Ardern responded at the time the claims were false and "highly regrettable"

Ms Ardern responded at the time the claims were false and ‘highly regrettable’

‘New Zealand is facing an election,’ Ms Bishop said.

‘Should there be a change of government, I would find it very hard to build trust with those involved in allegations designed to undermine the government of Australia.’

Ms Ardern responded at the time the claims were false and ‘highly regrettable’.

She said she had contacted the Australian High Commission to register her disappointment and would be meeting the commissioner in person.

Comment has been sought from Ms Bishop.

 

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