New Zealand’s Chris Hipkins is fighting an uphill battle after Jacinda Ardern resignation

New Zealand’s new Prime Minister Chris Hipkins is fighting an uphill battle after taking the reins from Jacinda Ardern.

New Zealand’s new Prime Minister Chris Hipkins is fighting an uphill battle after taking the reins from Jacinda Ardern following her resignation last week - and has even copped an unfriendly nickname.

The New Zealand Labour Party unanimously endorsed Mr Hipkins as party leader and the country’s new prime minister on Sunday.

Addressing the public, Mr Hipkins said he intended to focus on cost of living and issues that affected New Zealand families — an issue that Ms Ardern was regularly criticised on.

Mr Hipkins, who described the outgoing PM a “very good friend”, will be sworn in on Wednesday after Ms Ardern’s last formal engagement.

However, his desperately low ratings in the polls have led to an unfortunate nickname: “Mr 0.3 per cent”.

A survey by TVNZ-Kantar, which conducted around six times each year, asked 1000 New Zealanders to name their preferred Prime Minister, with the 44-year-old Hipkins placing very low on the list.

The nation’s conservative party The New Zealand National Party is expected to take power if the polls are reflected at the election later this year.

New Zealand’s incumbent Prime Minister Chris Hipkins is fighting an uphill battle after taking the reins from Jacinda Ardern following her resignation last week.(Photo by Marty MELVILLE / AFP)

Mr Hipkins has pledged to trim Labour’s policy agenda, acknowledging that many residents believed his government had been too ambitious in its reforms.

“I know that some New Zealanders feel we are doing too much too fast and I have heard that message,” he said, adding that his cabinet would assess which programs were needed, and which were on the chopping block later this week.

“I know that many people in New Zealand, many families are struggling at the moment,” he added.

“The world is facing a new challenge: a pandemic of inflation.”

He added that “Jacinda’s leadership has been an inspiration to women and girls everywhere”.

Ardern made the announcement on Thursday morning during a press conference, revealing she will remain in the role until February 7.

Ms Ardern announced her resignation last week, saying she doesn’t have “enough in the tank” to continue.

“I am leaving because with such a privileged job comes a big responsibility. The responsibility to know when you are the right person to lead – and also when you’re not,” she said.

“I know when I have enough left in the tank to do it justice.

“I am human. We give as much as we can for as long as we can and then it’s time. And for me, it’s time.

“To Neve, mum is looking forward to being there when you start school next year. And to Clarke, let’s get married.”