Chris Hipkins says he is “humbled and honoured” by caucus support for his candidacy to become the next leader of the Labour Party and then prime minister. Speaking to media on the parliamentary forecourt, he said he was “energised and enthusiastic” about the challenge and “looking forward to getting into the work”. It was an “enormous privilege and enormous responsibility”, the scale of which was “still sinking in”.

Hipkins declined to comment on policy or personnel decisions, including the deputy party leader position, saying it was appropriate to wait until after tomorrow’s caucus meeting, where he will be formally endorsed as the next leader. He made an exception for Grant Robertson, saying he hoped he would remain as finance minister. In securing the sole nomination for the vacancy, he did not have to cut deals with any colleagues, Hipkins said. He had spoken already with the Australian prime minister, Anthony Albanese.

Asked to describe himself, Hipkins said: “I’m a boy from the Hutt. My parents came from relatively humble beginnings and worked really hard to provide a good life for my brother and I. My commitment in politics is to make sure we provide opportunities for all Kiwis who want to work hard and get ahead and provide a better life for them and their families. I like to cycle. I like to garden. I like to be outdoors where I can. I like to DIY. Maybe I don’t have the best fashion sense in parliament … I am who I am.”

He later said: “I think I’m relatively upfront, relatively inclusive. People won’t die wondering what I think.” He added: “It’s a big day for a boy from the Hutt. And I’m really humbled and proud to be taking this on. It is the biggest responsibility and the biggest privilege of my life.”