Chris Hipkins Nominated to Succeed New Zealand’s PM Jacinda Ardern

The then-New Zealand COVID-19 Response Minister Chris Hipkins addresses a press conference at Parliament in Wellington, New Zealand on Oct. 11, 2021. Robert Kitchin/Pool Photo via AP

New Zealand’s ruling Labour Party has nominated Chris Hipkins to succeed Jacinda Ardern as the country’s prime minister after Ardern announced on Thursday that she would be stepping down from the top role.

Hipkins, 44, currently serves as the education minister and previously led the country’s COVID-19 response. He is expected to receive formal endorsement from his Labour Party colleagues on Sunday for the takeover.