New Zealand's ruling party confirms Hipkins as new prime minister
New Zealand's ruling Labour Party selected Chris Hipkins to replace Jacinda Ardern as leader of the Labour party and prime minister in a meeting on Sunday, Radio New Zealand reported.
Hipkins, 44, was the only nomination for the job and his confirmation by the 64 lawmakers, known as the Labour caucus, was largely a formality.
Hipkins is expected to hold a news conference shortly to officially announce the decision.