New Zealand prime minister Jacinda Ardern announces shock resignation in tearful address

New Zealand prime minister Jacinda Ardern has sent a jolt around the world by annoucning she will not not seek reelection.

In news that reverberated all the way from Wellington, to many parts around the globe, the Labour Party premier said in an emotional and tearful address that she planned to stand down next month, saying she was too tired to seek a third term.

“I no longer have enough in the tank,” said the 42-year-old, who had secured a reputation internationally for a no nonsense approach to politics and leading the country.

Ms Ardern became the world’s youngest female head of government when she was elected prime minister in 2017, aged 37, and said she had taken time last summer to ponder her future.

“I had hoped that I would find what I needed to carry on over that period but, unfortunately, I haven’t, and I would be doing a disservice to New Zealand to continue,” she said.

She added: “I hope I leave New Zealanders with a belief that you can be kind but strong, empathetic but decisive, optimistic but focused...that you can be your own kind of leader, one who knows when it’s time to go.”

As a result, she will stand down as Labour Party leader no later than 7 February and there will be a vote in days ahead to decide her replacement. New Zealand will hold a general election on 14 October.

Ms Ardern had won plaudits from many for the way she handled a number of crisis that struck her nation of five million people, includng the Covid-19 pandemic, the Christchurch mosque shootings, and the White Island volcanic eruption.

Australia's prime minister Anthony Albanese, said: Jacinda Ardern has shown the world how to lead with intellect and strength. She has demonstrated that empathy and insight are powerful leadership qualities.”

He added: “Jacinda has been a fierce advocate for New Zealand, an inspiration to so many and a great friend to me.”

Ms Arden said she would stay on a member of parliament until October to avoid her constituents the need for a by-election but that her last day as party leader and prime minister would be Feb 7.

She claimed there would be many out there who would try to ascertain the “real reason” for her departure and acknowledged some would question whether she felt she could not win a third term.

The Associated Press pointed out Ms Ardern had faced a tough election campaign this year. While her liberal-leaning Labour Party won reelection two years ago in a landslide of historic proportions, recent polls have put her party behind its conservative rivals.

Yet she claimed that was not the case and that she believed her party would win in October.

“But I am not leaving because it was hard. Had that been the case I probably would have departed two months into the job,” she said.

“I am 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 is that simple.”

She added: “We need a fresh set of shoulders for that challenge.”

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