The current Minister of Education, Police and Public Services was the only candidate, making the vote largely a formality.
Hipkins is known as a skilled driver and is praised for his handling of the corona virus. He was of great value to Ardern as a problem solver at times when other cabinet ministers were struggling.
Ardern, who became one of the world’s youngest female heads of government in 2017 at the age of 37, surprisingly announced last week that she would step down from her position on February 7. She said she didn’t have enough energy for it anymore. On October 14, New Zealanders will elect a new parliament.
