Jacinda Ardern has resigned as Prime Minister of New Zealand after telling a stunned party conference that she no longer has “enough in the tank” to do the job justice.
The premier revealed that she would step down February 7 and will not contest this year’s election.
Speaking to a New Zealand Labour party caucus on Thursday, she said: “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,”
“I am human, politicians are human. We give all that we can for as long as we can. And then it’s time. And for me, it’s time,”
She added that she had taken the decision after months of deliberation, and hoped to spend more time with her family following October’s elections.
The PM addressed members of her own family during the tearful address, including a moment where she told her fiancé Clarke Gayford: “let’s finally get married”
A statement from the Prime Minister’s office released after her speech said “holding such a privileged role comes responsibility, including the responsibility to know when you’re the right person to lead, and also when you’re not.”
Australian PM Anthony Albanese responded to news of her resignation on Thursday with praised for his “great friend”, writing on Twitter: “Jacinda Ardern has shown the world how to lead with intellect and strength.
“She has demonstrated that empathy and insight are powerful leadership qualities. Jacinda has been a fierce advocate for New Zealand, an inspiration to so many and a great friend to me.”
Ms Ardern became prime minister of the country in October 2017 after serving only two months as leader of the opposition.
At age 37 she became the youngest female head of government in the world, and gave birth to a child the year after – making her the second elected head of government to do so.
She attracted international praise for her response to the Christchurch mosque shootings in 2019, and her government introduced strict gun legislation following the rare terrorist incident which left 51 people dead.
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