New Zealand: The New Zealand Labour MP Mr. Chris Hipkins is set to replace Ms. Jacinda Ardern as prime minister after becoming the only nominee for the party’s leadership. Mr. Hipkins, 44, is currently minister for police, education, and public service.
“I think we’re an incredibly strong team. We’ve gone through this process with unity, and we’ll continue to do that. I’m feeling really fortunate to be working with such an amazing group of people who have a real commitment to the service of the people of New Zealand,” Mr. Hipkins commented after the party announced him as the sole candidate.
Mr. Hipkins is expected to be confirmed as the new leader at a meeting of Labour’s 64 lawmakers.
Ms. Ardern will formally tender her resignation to the governor-general on February 7, who will then, on behalf of King Charles III, appoint Mr. Hipkins as prime minister.
First elected to parliament for the Labour Party in 2008, Mr. Hipkins became popular for his sincere efforts in the government’s response to the pandemic. The Labour MP was appointed health minister in July 2020 before becoming the COVID response minister at the end of the year.
Mr. Hipkins’ appointment eliminates the immediate possibility of Justice Minister Kiri Allan becoming the country’s first Maori prime minister.
Earlier, in a surprise announcement, Ms. Ardern stated that she had “no more in the tank” to lead the country and would step down.
During the resignation announcement, Ms. Ardern, who at 37 became the youngest female head of government in the world when she took office in 2017, remarked that the past five-and-a-half years were the “most fulfilling” of her life.
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