Jacinda Ardern shocks the world and RESIGNS as New Zealand Prime Minister: Says she’s got ‘nothing left in the tank’ and tells her fiancé Clarke ‘let’s finally get married’
Jacinda Ardern has choked back tears as she announced her resignation as New Zealand Prime Minister in an emotional press conference.
Her resignation comes into effect on Sunday if the Labour Party can elect her replacement, or on February 7 if the process was drawn out.
Ms Ardern said she hoped to find the energy and heart during the Christmas break to stay in the job, ‘but I have not been able to do that’.
‘I am human. Politicians are human. We give all we can for as long as we can – and then it’s time. And for me, it’s time,’ she said.
‘I know what this job takes. And I know that I no longer have enough in the tank to do it justice.
‘I am leaving because with such a privileged job comes a big responsibility. The responsibility to know when you are the right person to lead – and also when you’re not.’
Jacinda Ardern has choked back tears as she announced her resignation as New Zealand Prime Minister
Ms Ardern resigns at just 42 after becoming leader just over five years ago on October 26, 2017, and was New Zealand’s youngest-ever PM.
She insisted her party trailing in the polls the the rival National Party ahead of the upcoming election had nothing to do with her decision to step down.
‘I am not leaving because I believe we can’t win the election but because I believe we can and will,’ she said.
‘But we need a fresh set of shoulders for the challenges of both this year and the next three.’
During her resignation speech, Ms Ardern announced the next New Zealand election would be held on October 14.
The resigning PM was asked if she would take up a role with the UN after leaving office and didn’t give a straight answer.
Instead, she insisted she had ‘no plans’ other than relaxing with her daughter Neve and marrying her fiancé Clarke Gayford after their wedding was called off due to Covid restrictions.
‘I am looking forward to spending time with my family once again… so to Neve, mumma is looking forward to being there when you start school this year, and to Clarke, let’s finally get married,’ she said.
Ms Ardern imposed some of the world’s harshest Covid restrictions and only allowed visitors to enter less than a year ago
Ms Ardern said she had not yet told her daughter of her plans because ‘four-year-olds are chatty, I couldn’t take the risk’.
She said she left without regrets, offering a simple way she would like to be remembered.
‘As someone who always tried to be kind,’ she said.
More to come