Jacinda Ardern announced today that she will be standing down as the prime minister of New Zealand, revealing that she “no longer had enough in the tank” to do justice to her role. This news came alongside her confirmation of a national election for October this year, signifying a surprise end to Ardern’s term at the helm of the nation since 2017. Her shock resignation has rocked New Zealand politics and changed the face of their electoral process altogether; her departure from power will mark an immense loss for progressive policy in the island country and around the world.
Ardern stated that she was no longer up to the task at hand at the party’s annual caucus gathering on Thursday.
She said that it’s time.
She added that she was leaving because of the responsibilities that comes with a position of such responsibility, the duty to recognise when you are qualified to lead and when you are not, I am aware of what this profession entails. And I understand that I’m running out of gas to do it justice. That’s how easy it is, she said.
Until the election later this year, she will remain a member of parliament. Her time as prime minister will end no later than February 7. When Ardern, then 37, was chosen as prime minister in 2017, she set a record for the youngest female head of state in the world. She guided New Zealand through the Covid-19 pandemic as well as significant catastrophes like the Christchurch mosque shootings and the eruption of White Island.
