New Zealand PM: Candidates Submit Names To Replace Ardern

Jacinda Ardern's resignation has brought New Zealand into calls for the nation to select its inaugural Prime Minister on Friday.

Ardern, resigned as New Zealand Prime Minister on Thursday, by announcing her abrupt exit from office less than three years after securing a second term in a landslide election win.

After Ardern’s resignation, many names have emerged as a successor to the position.

Chris Hipkins is the early frontrunner after Ardern's deputy Grant Robertson swiftly ruled himself out of the race.

Other names in the mix are Justice Minister Kiri Allan, one of Labour's senior Maori members of Parliament, and Immigration Minister Michael Wood.

None of the three has so far confirmed they will contest the ballot.