Chris Hipkins set to be New Zealand’s next prime minister

Chris Hipkins was the only candidate to enter the race (Alamy/PA)

Education Minister Chris Hipkins is set to become New Zealand’s next prime minister after he was the only candidate to enter the race to replace Jacinda Ardern.

Mr Hipkins, 44, must still get an endorsement on Sunday from his Labour Party colleagues in Parliament but that is just a formality now.

Ms Ardern shocked the nation of five million people on Thursday when she announced she was resigning after five-and-a-half years in the top role.