New Zealand Labour Party

Education Minister Chris Hipkins is set to become New Zealand's next prime minister after he was the only candidate to enter the contest Saturday to replace Jacinda Ardern.

Hipkins, 44, must still garner an endorsement Sunday from his Labour Party colleagues, but that is just a formality now. An official transfer of power will come in the days to follow.

Jacinda Ardern's shock resignation sparked a push on Friday for New Zealand to choose its first Maori prime minister, as a small pack of candidates emerged for the top job.

Ardern, a global figurehead for progressive politics, stunned New Zealand on Thursday by announcing her abrupt exit from office, less than three years after securing a second term in a landslide election win.

New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, whose empathetic handling of the nation's worst mass-shooting and health-driven response to the coronavirus pandemic led her to become an international icon but who faced mounting criticism at home, said Thursday she was leaving office.

Fighting back tears, Ardern told reporters in Napier that Feb. 7 would be her last day as prime minister.

The Russian spokesperson said his schedule was too busy

It is his tradition, Putin’s spokesperson said

Jacinda Ardern will be the next New Zealand prime minister after a small political party has entered into a deal with the liberals after the election a month ago.

37-year-old Ardern will be the youngest leader for more than 150 years. She is compared with the young charismatic leaders like President Emmanuel Macron in France and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, the AP reports.