Chris Hipkins becomes the next Prime Minister of New Zealand | New Zealand

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The Labor Party has chosen a new prime minister for New Zealand following the shock resignation of Jacinda Ardern on Thursday.

Chris Hipkins, the nation’s education and police minister and one of the main architects of the Covid response, was nominated uncontested by the caucus on Saturday morning.

While the caucus has yet to formally endorse his selection – which is due to take place on Sunday – he was the only MP nominated for the post, following efforts by senior MPs to achieve consensus and secure a smooth transition in the wake of Ardern.

Hipkins, an experienced MP with a tough streak in the debating chamber and an intimate knowledge of the machinery of government, will face the biggest challenge of his political career – persuading New Zealanders to give Labor another term in government, without the star power of Ardern at the helm.

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Across New Zealand, Hipkins, 44, will be known as the face and primary enforcer of the country’s eradication Covid strategy, a role that has seen him take to the stage alongside Ardern for weekly updates as the pandemic evolves.

This background may help or hinder him: it gave him an important profile and made him a household name, but it also gives him immediate associations with a chapter many New Zealanders now hope to put behind them, and one that has galvanized a small, radical and brilliant group. Often the stinging core of vaccine opponents.

While his profile is lower than that of Ardern, the deputy has had a few moments of international exposure.

In a Covid-era gaff, it became a meme after New Zealanders were encouraged to “go out and spread their legs” in a national ad.

Last year, internet watchers were baffled by a birthday cake made entirely out of sausage rolls.

A professional politician who has been in office since 2008, Hipkins is perhaps the safest choice for Labour. Of the candidates considered for the position, he is the most capable of immediately engaging in governance work and implementing the government’s legislative agenda until the October elections.

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Over the past period, in addition to ministerial portfolios in education, covid response and policing, he has been House Leader and Public Service Minister, two defiant roles deeply immersed in the nuts and bolts of governance and providing intimate knowledge of the political process.

Speaking to the Guardian in 2021, he said one of his political strengths was “an understanding of how the machinery of government works, something I’ve developed over almost 20 years.

“I’ve watched people get into politics from the outside, very talented people, very knowledgeable, a lot of experience with the subject – but they’ve struggled to get the machinery of government to do what they want to do. And I like to think I’ve been able to – I’m not perfect – but I’ve been able to figure out It kind of is.”

While this makes him well qualified to implement Labour’s latest reform packages, his biggest battle will be on the campaign trail. Correa’s poll released on Friday – chosen before Ardern’s resignation – put her party at 32%, compared to the National’s 37%. The right- and left-wing coalition partners ACT and the Green Party had 11% each.

With the election on 14 October looming, Hipkins faces a steep road – to turn the fortunes of the Labor Party around and rally support for a new government.

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