New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has handed over the Labour management to in an emotional caucus assembly in Wellington.
The pair – longtime pals and political allies – walked aspect by aspect via the halls of parliament home on Sunday in a present of unity.
Mr Hipkins was the only real nominee from Labour’s caucus to succeed Ms Ardern as chief after her that she was standing down as prime minister.
Outgoing NZ PM Jacinda Ardern and incoming chief Chris Hipkins at Parliament Home in Wellington on Sunday 22 January. Supply: AAP / Ben McKay
On coming into the assembly, the pair embraced and have been met with raucous applause.
Mr Hipkins, the 44-year-old schooling minister, will tackle media at 3pm and is predicted to be sworn in as prime minister early subsequent week.
Labour might be led by a brand new duo, with Carmel Sepuloni profitable a celebration room vote to develop into Mr Hipkins’ deputy prime minister.
Ms Sepuloni would not affirm her election after the assembly however informed journalists she was “feeling very humbled”.
Labour MP Jenny Salesa let the cat out of the bag shortly after the assembly, congratulating her colleague on Twitter.
“Nicely performed & actually happy with our first Pacific Deputy PM, my good friend & Tongan sister Hon Carmel Sepuloni,” she wrote.
“As we speak is a historic day for Samoa, Tonga & our Pacific Individuals in Aotearoa NZ. You’ve got obtained this Carmel … ‘Ofa lahi & Alofa tele atu Sis”
Ms Sepuloni, a Taranaki-raised Auckland-based MP is a former trainer with Samoan and Tongan heritage via her mom.
Kelvin Davis has been retained as deputy Labour chief.
The brand new management group will take Labour to an election on 14 October.