New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announced her intent to step down in a move that shocked the country’s political landscape and surprised world leaders.
In an unexpected announcement, Ardern said she is resigning and onfirmed a national election for October.
“I’m 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. I know what this job takes. And I know that I no longer have enough in the tank to do it justice. It’s that simple,” she said.
Ardern, who served as prime minister for six years, thanked her partner, Clarke Gayford, and daughter Neve, whom she gave birth to while holding office, as “the ones that have sacrificed the most out of all of us”.
“To Neve: Mum is looking forward to being there when you start school this year. And to Clarke – let’s finally get married.”
‘Be your own kind of leader’
In 2017, Ardern became the world’s youngest serving female leader at 37 and went on to make history as the second woman to give birth while holding elected office.
“Leading a country is the most privileged job anyone could ever have, but also the most challenging. You cannot and should not do it unless you have a full tank, plus a bit in reserve for those unexpected challenges.”
Announcing her resignation, her voice was occasionally cracking with emotion, as she said: “I hope I leave New Zealanders with a belief that you can be kind, but strong, empathetic but decisive, optimistic but focused.” She added: “And that you can be your own kind of leader – one who knows when it’s time to go.”
A rare leader – Tributes pour in for Ardern
Australia’s Prime Minister Anthony Albanese tweeted on Thursday morning that Ardern had “shown the world how to lead with intellect and strength.”
“She has demonstrated that empathy and insight are powerful leadership qualities,” Albanese wrote. “Jacinda has been a fierce advocate for New Zealand, an inspiration to so many and a great friend to me.”
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau called Ardern his “friend” in a tweet on the same day. “Thank you, @JacindaArdern, for your partnership and your friendship — and for your empathic, compassionate, strong, and steady leadership over the past several years,” he wrote.
New Zealand’s opposition National leader, Christopher Luxon, said Ardern had “made a significant contribution to New Zealand, in what is a difficult and demanding job” and called her a “strong ambassador for New Zealand on the world stage”.
United States Vice President Kamala Harris thanked Ardern for her “leadership and for strengthening the ties between the U.S. and New Zealand.” She called Ardern a “forward-looking, global leader who has inspired millions around the world.”
Maria Shriver, the American journalist and former first lady of California, described Ardern as “an inspiring leader”, saying she had to “hand it to her for her honesty though. This makes me sad and it shows what a drain leading can be.”
Ardern was widely applauded for her displays of leadership and compassion. Farid Ahmed, a survivor of the 2019 Christchurch terrorist attack that killed 51 people including his wife, said Ardern’s “universal call for human unity with compassion made me cry with joy then, and it makes me cry now”. The prime minister’s “kindness, wisdom and efforts for a peaceful world have been a remarkable example for world leaders,” Ahmed said. “I understand that she needs rest, and I wish her all the best in her life.”
Ardern received worldwide respect following her response to the 2019 Christchurch mosque shootings that killed 51 people and injured 40. She met with the Muslim community the next day, wearing a hijab, and said the whole country was “united in grief.”
One year after the Christchurch shootings, the COVID-19 pandemic hit. While Ardern is credited for being one of the few Western countries to successfully contain the virus, she faced some backlash at home for the strict mask and vaccine mandates, marked by violent protests on Parliament’s grounds.
“Politicians are human,” Ardern said when announcing her resignation. “We give all that we can, for as long as we can, and then it’s time. And for me, it’s time.”
Many of Ardern’s supporters blame the sexist attitudes she received over the years. Actor Sam Neill wrote on Twitter that he does not blame her for stepping down. “Her treatment, the pile on, in the last few months has been disgraceful and embarrassing,” he wrote. “All the bullies, the misogynists, the aggrieved. She deserved so much better. A great leader.”
Ardern’s term will conclude no later than February 7. The New Zealand Labour Party will vote for a new leader on Sunday, who will serve as prime minister until the next general election on October 14.