'Not enough in the tank': Jacinda Ardern resigns as prime minister of New Zealand
Ms Ardern will leave her post by February 7, after almost six years in office, due to personal reasons
ByChanel Zagon and
Andrea Hamblin IN MELBOURNE19 January 2023 • 12:59am
Ms Ardern appeared emotional as she announced her resignation CREDIT: Getty Images
New Zealand's Prime Minister
Jacinda Ardern has announced she will resign from her post no later than February 7.
Ms Ardern made the shock announcement at the party's annual caucus meeting on Thursday, saying she "no longer had enough in the tank" to do the job justice.
The outgoing prime minister said she gave herself time over summer to consider whether she could continue in her post, but ultimately decided it was not possible.
"For me it's time," a visibly emotional Ms Ardern told members of the Labour Party.
"I just don't have enough in the tank for another four years. Have I given all I have to put us in the best possible position? I have. And I know that hand on heart.”
Ms Ardern said a new prime minister would be sworn in by February 7, but it may be earlier.
Ms Ardern said it was the right time to step down from the top job CREDIT: Getty Images
During her
tenure as prime minister, Ms Ardern came under fire from critics who accused her government of unnecessarily
locking down the islands at times when there was no evidence of Covid-19 spreading in New Zealand communities.
She clarified her resignation was for personal reasons, not because she did not believe she could
win a re-election. She also emphasised she was "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."
She reaffirmed that it was "ultimately [her] decision" and that she only sought advice from a small number of people.
Ms Ardern said she wanted to spend more time with her family, which would involve taking her four-year-old daughter, Neve, to school and making her breakfast.
She is also looking forward to enjoying a cup of tea in bed that her fiancé, Clarke Gayford, would make her and finally being able to get married.
Addressing her fiancé, who sat in the front row of the press conference, she said: "Let’s finally get married".
Jacinda Ardern embraces partner Clarke Gayford after announcing her resignation CREDIT: Getty Images
The next general election in New Zealand will be held on October 14 and Ms Ardern said she still believed
Labour would win.
“While I won’t be contesting the election, I know the issues that impact New Zealanders most will remain the focus of the government through this year and into the election," she said.
She hoped the next generation of politicians would value empathy and kindness.
“We have to be willing to reject some of those old characteristics as well," she added.
Following news of her resignation, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said his "friend" Ms Ardern had "demonstrated that empathy and insight are powerful leadership qualities".
"Jacinda Ardern has shown the world how to lead with intellect and strength," Mr Albanese said in a tweet.
"Jacinda has been a fierce advocate for New Zealand, an inspiration to so many and a great friend to me."
