Jacinda Ardern has left New Zealand Parliament for the final time, officially resigning and leaving her place as Prime Minister to Chris Hipkins.
Earlier, New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern left the Parliament for the final time after announcing her resignation earlier in the month. After nearly six years of leading her country, Ardern said she no longer had “enough in the tank” to continue in her role.
Ardern was first elected as Prime Minister in 2017 and is widely credited with steering New Zealand through some of its most challenging times. She was praised for her handling of the COVID-19 pandemic, which saw New Zealand become one of the few countries to successfully contain the virus. Her government also passed a number of progressive policies, including a ban on plastic bags and an increase in minimum wages.
Ardern’s departure from office marks the end of an era for New Zealand politics. She has been replaced by Chris Hipkins as Prime Minister and he will now have nine months to prove himself to voters before elections are held later this year.
While Ardern may no longer be at the helm, she leaves behind a legacy that will be remembered for years to come. Her leadership style was characterized by compassion and empathy and she inspired many people around the world with her commitment to making positive change.
