Chris Hipkins has been nominated as the next prime minister after the shock resignation of Jacinda Adern

Former New Zealand Covid-19 pandemic official Chris Hepkins has been nominated by Labor MPs to replace Jacinda Ardern as prime minister, the party said in a statement on Friday 20 January. Jacinda Ardern resigned on Thursday, allegedly “Not enough energy” To continue to rule after five and a half years in power.

Chris Hipkins, 44, still has to be formally appointed by his party leadership on Sunday before he becomes New Zealand’s 41st prime minister. The new prime minister will be responsible for leading his party into the general elections in October, for which he is not the candidate, according to opinion polls. Minister of the Interior since last June, he previously held the portfolios of education and public services.

His work at the head of the ministry responsible for developing the response to the epidemic was also welcomed, in a country that closed its borders to reduce the risk of infection, and reopened them only last August.