Chris Hipkins, who played a major role in New Zealand’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic, is set to succeed Jacinda Ardern as prime minister after emerging on Saturday as the only candidate to lead the ruling Labor Party.
Hipkins, 44, is expected to be confirmed as the brand new leader at a gathering of Labour’s 64 lawmakers, or Caucus, on Sunday.
“I believe we’re an incredibly strong team,” Hipkins told a news conference after the party named him the only candidate.
“Now we have passed through this process with unity and can proceed to accomplish that. I feel really lucky to find a way to work with such a tremendous group of people who find themselves truly committed to serving the people of New Zealand.”
Hipkins wouldn’t fall for his political plans. He said the cupboard reshuffle proposed by Ardern can be carried out, but Finance Minister Grant Robertson would likely proceed in that role.
He said he spoke with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, who tweeted that the 2 had a “warm discussion”.
![Ardern has been the Prime Minister of New Zealand since October 2017.](https://nypost.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/01/new-zealand-pm-3.jpg?w=1024)
HARD FIGHT
in surprise announcement on Thursday, Ardern said she had “no more within the tank” to lead the country and would step down.
First elected to Parliament for Labor in 2008, Hipkins has develop into a outstanding figure on the forefront of the federal government’s response to the pandemic. He was appointed Minister of Health in July 2020 to develop into Minister of COVID Response at the tip of the 12 months.
He is currently the Minister of Police, Education and Public Service, as well as the leader of the House of Representatives.
A Horizon Research poll conducted Friday by local media organization Stuff found Hipkins was the preferred potential candidate amongst voters, with 26% of those polled supporting it.
![Hipkins addresses reporters after confirming he is the only Labor candidate.](https://nypost.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/01/new-zealand-pm-1.jpg?w=1024)
He has an enormous challenge ahead of him, said New Zealander Eva Murphy in Auckland.
“It should never replace the boots Jacinda has and it should be interesting to see what Labor comes out of the election campaign next 12 months and we won’t wait to see what happens,” she said.
Hipkins’ confirmation by Labor lawmakers on Sunday afternoon is expected to be a formality. Ardern will then resign to the Governor-General of New Zealand before Hipkins is appointed.
![Ardern announced her resignation](https://nypost.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/01/new-zealand-pm-2.jpg?w=1024)
If confirmed, Hipkins will likely be prime minister until the tip of the party’s term.
The overall election will happen on October 14 and a few polls show Labor trailing behind the opposition New Zealand National Party.
A Taxpayers Union and Curia poll released on Friday, based on figures prior to Ardern’s resignation announcement, showed Labor’s popularity dropped to 31.7%, behind the National Party’s 37.2%.
The New Zealand Green Party, Labour’s traditional coalition partner, said in a press release it was looking forward to working with Hipkins.
“Chris will likely be a superb prime minister and we glance forward to continuing our partnership for the remainder of this term and beyond,” said James Shaw, co-leader of the Green Party.