Jacinda Ardern resigns as New Zealand Prime Minister

Jacinda Ardern choked back tears as she announced her resignation as New Zealand Prime Minister in an emotional press conference.

Her resignation will take effect on Sunday, when the Labor Party can elect her successor, or on February 7 if the process has been dragged out.

‘I am human. Politicians are people. We give everything as long as we can – and then the time has come. And for me, it’s about time,” she said.

“I know what this job requires. And I know I don’t have enough left in the tank to do it justice.”

Jacinda Ardern choked back tears as she announced her resignation as New Zealand Prime Minister

Ms Ardern is stepping down at just 42 after becoming leader on October 26, 2017, just over five years ago, and was New Zealand’s youngest-ever Prime Minister.

She insisted her party was lagging in the polls as the rival National Party had nothing to do with her decision to step down ahead of the upcoming election.

“I’m not going because I believe we can’t win the election, but because I believe we can and will,” she said.

“But we need new shoulders for the challenges of this and the next three years.”

During her resignation speech, Ms Ardern announced that the next New Zealand general election would be held on October 14.

The retiring prime minister was asked if she would take up a role at the UN after leaving office and gave no clear answer.

Instead, she insisted she had “no plans” other than relaxing with her baby Neve and marrying her fiancé Clarke Gayford after their wedding was canceled due to Covid restrictions.

“I’m looking forward to spending time with my family again … so mom looking forward to Neve when you start school this year and to Clarke, let’s finally get married,” she said.

There’s more to come