Former New Zealand COVID-19 official Chris Hipkins said on Saturday he was “capable of getting things done” after being chosen to replace resigned Jacinda Ardern as prime minister.
The only candidate to succeed Ms. Ardern, Chris Hipkins, 44, must be formally nominated on Sunday by the leadership of his party before he can become the 41st prime minister of his country.
“The Labor Party caucus will meet at 1 p.m. on Sunday to ratify the nomination and confirm Chris Hipkins as leader of the party,” said Duncan Webb, a Labor party executive.
The new head of government will be responsible for leading his party in the general elections in October, for which he is not the favorite, according to the polls.
“I like to think of myself as someone who is determined and capable of getting things done,” he told reporters outside Parliament in the capital, Wellington, believing he could win the poll. of October 14.
As leader of the ruling party, Mr Hipkins will also become Prime Minister when Ms Ardern leaves office.
Jacinda Ardern, a global figurehead of progressive politics, stunned New Zealand when she announced her abrupt removal from power, less than three years after winning a second term in a landslide election victory.
During her tenure, she faced the COVID-19 pandemic, a deadly volcanic eruption and the country’s worst ever attack, the killing of 51 Muslim worshipers at two Christchurch mosques by a white supremacist in 2019.
“Tough and competent”
Ms Ardern said her decision to step down was “tinged with sadness” but that after making the announcement she had “slept well for the first time in a long time”.
Political commentators in concert condemned the inappropriate comments on social media targeting Ms Ardern before her resignation.
Jacinda Ardern suffered an “absolutely intolerable vitriolic campaign”, confirmed her successor, who hailed “the leader we needed, when we needed her”.
Mr Hipkins is widely regarded as a seasoned politician, with more than 14 years in parliament.
Political columnist Josie Pagani called him “sensitive, sympathetic, tough and competent”.
The country’s main opposition party, the National Party, did not react immediately to Chris Hipkins’ victory.
Mr Hipkins’ appointment also ended speculation that Justice Minister Kiri Allan could have become the first Maori to lead New Zealand.
“Incredibly Strong”
The latter congratulated Mr. Hipkins, saying he would be “an incredibly strong prime minister”.
Chris Hipkins has been hailed for his nearly two-year tenure as minister in charge of the fight against COVID-19 in a country that closed its borders to ward off the pandemic and only reopened them in August 2022.
He admitted last year that people were fed up with tough pandemic restrictions, describing border closures as “difficult”.
He describes himself as an “outdoor enthusiast” who enjoys mountain biking, hiking and swimming.