National Party leader Christopher Luxon has spoken briefly to media in Hamilton about the man he will face in October's election.
"I just did want to briefly acknowledge and congratulate Chris Hipkins on his elevation to the leader of the Labour Party and therefore Prime Minister of New Zealand.
"It's a tremendous privilege and a great honour to be able to lead any political party.
"I think, though, from my perspective just changing the leader of the Labour Party doesn't do enough for the New Zealand people.
"Chris Hipkins has been part of a government that has spectacularly failed to get anything done and what New Zealanders need is a National government that is going to get things done."
Luxon would not answer questions if he thought Hipkins would be a more difficult opponent than Ardern in the November election.
"Nothing changes from my perspective. I'm me and I still lead with the way I lead."
Yesterday Luxon told RNZ Jacinda Ardern's decision to step down would make little difference to most New Zealanders as they dealt with a cost of living crisis and the highest increase in food prices in more than 30 years.
Business confidence was also at a low ebb, he said.
