Why you won’t see the new Kiwi PM’s wife by his side – as he reveals devastating developments in his personal life before he took the job
- New Kiwi leader Chris Hipkins is separated from his wife
- Mr Hipkins pleaded for privacy for his wife and two children
- Jacinda Ardern takes over as Labor leader
New Zealand Prime Minister Chris Hipkins has opened up about the private pain of his adultery while asking the media for privacy.
Mr Hipkins, 44, was anointed to succeed Jacinda Ardern on Sunday after MPs from the ruling Labor party unanimously elected him their new leader.
Speaking to Kiwi Media afterwards, Mr Hipkins revealed that he and his wife Jade have been living apart for around a year.
New Zealand Prime Minister Chris Hipkins has announced that he has split from his wife
The couple, who married in 2020, have two children, a six-year-old son and a four-year-old daughter.
Mr Hipkins said the decision to live apart was “in the best interests of our family”.
He heartily appealed to the media and the public to respect his family’s privacy
“As an MP and as a public figure, I’ve worked really hard during the time I’ve been in politics to keep my family out of the public spotlight,” Mr Hipkins said.
‘I will [my children] growing up with a typical Kiwi childhood life.
Mr Hipkins’ split from Ms Jade (pictured right) had been a source of rumors in Wellington
“I want them to be able to make mistakes, I want them to be able to learn and grow without five million people looking over their shoulders, so I intend to keep them out of the public spotlight.”
“I know that if I propose my name as a minister, as an MP or as a prime minister, I am making myself public property. I totally accept that but my family doesn’t and I ask people to respect that.
Mr Hipkins acknowledged that the split was widespread in Wellington, the Kiwi capital.
He said the pressure of political life can be very difficult for a family to bear.
“As a partner to a politician and partner to a minister, when you’re like me in the public spotlight, it’s bloody hard, especially during the Covid response,” he said.
“Families are under enormous pressure.”
“A year ago my wife and I made the decision that we are living apart, that we will do everything we can to raise our children together.
“We remain incredibly close, she is still my best friend, but we made this decision in the best interest of our family.”
Outgoing New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern (pictured right) had special messages for her partner Clarke Gayford (pictured left) and daughter Neve (centre) in her resignation speech.
As Covid Response Secretary, Mr Hipkins has been in the constant public eye during the pandemic and is associated with some of the country’s tough border and lockdown measures that polarized the nation.
When he asked for his family’s privacy to be respected, Mr Hipkins referred to the “enormous scrutiny and pressure” he believed had been placed on Ms Ardern’s family.
During her shocked resignation speech last Thursday, Ms Ardern made special mention of her partner Clarke Gayford and their daughter Neve, who was born during her tenure as Prime Minister.
Mr Hipkins, pictured here after his appointment as Labor leader, made a special request for the media to respect his family’s privacy
Ms Ardern said Ms Gayford and Neve were “the ones who have sacrificed the most of all of us”.
“To Neve: Mum is excited to be there when you go to school this year,” she said.
‘And to Clarke – let’s finally get married.’
Mr Hipkins will officially take over as Prime Minister from Mrs Ardern on Wednesday.