Ardern surprises New Zealanders

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

Hipkins, 44, must still garner an endorsement from his Labour Party colleagues in Parliament, but that is just a formality.

Ardern shocked the nation of 5 million people on Thursday when she announced she was resigning, effective Feb. 7. The lack of other candidates indicated party lawmakers had rallied behind Hipkins to avoid a drawn-out contest and any sign of disunity.

Hipkins will have less than eight months in the role before contesting a general election.