Chris Hipkins was confirmed on Sunday as New Zealand’s next prime minister as he received unanimous support from Labour Party lawmakers to succeed Jacinda Ardern.

Hipkins, 44, will be officially sworn in to his new role on Wednesday. 

“We will deliver a very solid government that is focused on the bread-and-butter issues that matter to New Zealanders and that are relevant to the times that we are in now,” Hipkins told reporters in Wellington, the Associated Press reported.

Hipkins served as New Zealand’s COVID-19 response manager during the coronavirus pandemic.

Ardern on Thursday said she would resign as prime minister, in a shock announcement. She also confirmed that New Zealand’s national elections will take place on October 14.