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New Zealand's Education Minister, Chris Hipkins, is poised to become the country's next Prime Minister.
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Speaking to reporters, Hipkins said he was humbled to take on the top job and called it a "massive honour."
Still, the 44-year-old must garner an endorsement on Sunday from his Labour Party colleagues.
An official transfer of power will come in the following days.
This, after incumbent Jacinda Ardern shocked the nation of 5 million when she announced her resignation on Thursday.
With Hipkins being the only nominee, party lawmakers had rallied behind him to avoid a protracted contest and disunity.
Hipkins will have only a little more than eight months on the job before the October 14th general elections.
Latest polls indicate Labour is trailing its main opponent, the conservative National Party.
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