Chris Hipkins due to replace Jacinda Ardern as New Zealand PM

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Following New Zealand PM Jacinda Ardern's resignation on Thursday, the only candidate to head the ruling Labour Party was revealed to be Chris Hipkinsو who is set to replace Ardern as PM.  

At a news conference following the announcement of his candidacy, Hipkins said: "I think we're an incredibly strong team," addingو "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."

Hipkins, who also goes by the nickname "Chippy", played a major role in the country's response to the pandemic and played troubleshooter for Ardern, amping up his competence and capabilities. 

'Warm discussions' with Australia

Now serving as minister for police, education and public service, additionally as leader of the House, Hipkins was first elected to parliament in 2008 for the Labor Party. Then in 2020, he was appointed health minister right before becoming a household name for his reputation in tackling the Covid response.

If his promotion to PM is confirmed, he is supposed to serve until the end of his party's term, with the intent to keep Grant Robertson as finance minister per his statement. 

He also confirmed speaking to Australia Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, who in turn tweeted of the "warm discussion".

A warm discussion this morning with incoming NZ Labour Leader Chris Hipkins. I congratulate him and look forward to working with him as Prime Minister. 🇦🇺🇳🇿

— Anthony Albanese (@AlboMP) January 20, 2023

This comes as a result of Ardern's surprise resignation, during which she confessed that she no longer had "enough in the tank" to lead the country - amid poll data a day before the resignation showing a decline in popularity for her party and a rise for the Nationals Party.

“I’m leaving, because with such a privileged role comes responsibility. The responsibility to know when you are the right person to lead and also when you are not. I know what this job takes. And I know that I no longer have enough in the tank to do it justice. It’s that simple,” she said.

New Zealand Green Party, the Labour's traditional coalition partner, showed support of Hipkin's appointment through co-leader James Shaw who said: "Chris will make an excellent Prime Minister and we look forward to continuing our work together, for the rest of this term and the next," 

Ardern is set to leave her position on February 7 but she will continue as an MP until the upcoming election this year in October. 

As the world’s youngest female head of government elected as prime minister in 2017 at age 37, she led New Zealand through attacks such as the two mosques in Christchurch, and disasters like the White Island volcanic eruption. She was asked how she would like her country to remember her, to which she replied: “as someone who always tried to be kind.”