In news that took everyone by surprise, New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announced plans to resign from her position on February 7.
At the party’s first caucus meeting of the year on Thursday, Ardern said she “no longer had enough in the tank” to do the job. “It’s time,” she added.
“I’m leaving, because with such a privileged role comes responsibility – the responsibility to know when you are the right person to lead and also when you are not. I know what this job takes. And I know that I no longer have enough in the tank to do it justice. It’s that simple,” she said.
The remarkable leader is credited with leading the country through numerous crises, notable COVID, the Christchurch bombing and the eruption of the White Island volcano.
She thanked her partner, Clarke Gayford, and daughter Neve, whom she gave birth to while holding office, as “the ones that have sacrificed the most out of all of us”.
“To Neve: Mum is looking forward to being there when you start school this year. And to Clarke – let’s finally get married.”