Chris Hipkins set to replace Jacinda Ardern as New Zealand prime minister

FILE PHOTO: A view shows the Executive Wing of the New Zealand Parliament complex, popularly known as "Beehive" because of the building’s shape, in Wellington, New Zealand July 23, 2020. Picture taken July 23, 2020. REUTERS/Praveen Menon

WELLINGTON (Reuters) - Chris Hipkins, who played a significant role in New Zealand's response to the COVID-19 pandemic, is set to replace Jacinda Ardern as prime minister after emerging on Saturday as the only candidate to lead the ruling Labour Party.

Hipkins, 44, is expected to be confirmed as leader at a meeting of Labour's 64 lawmakers, or Caucus, on Sunday, succeeding Ardern, who made a surprise announcement on Thursday that she had "no more in the tank" to lead the country and would step down.