New Zealand’s former Covid-19 response minister Chris Hipkins will replace Jacinda Ardern as prime minister after receiving the only nomination from fellow MPs, the ruling Labour Party said Saturday.
The 44-year-old senior politician must be formally endorsed by the party’s caucus on Sunday to take over as the country’s 41st prime minister, after Ardern’s shock resignation on Thursday.
“The Labour Party caucus will meet at 1pm on Sunday to endorse the nomination and confirm Chris Hipkins as Party Leader,” said a statement by senior Labour Party member Duncan Webb.
As leader of the governing Labour Party he will also become prime minister
