New Zealand PM Jacinda Ardern resigns, 'I no longer have enough in the tank’

It was a shocking announcement when New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern declared that she would be stepping down from her role ahead of this year's election. Citing that she no longer had "enough in the tank" to lead, Ardern revealed that she had taken time to consider her future over the summer break, but ultimately came to the decision that she would be doing a disservice to New Zealand if she continued. The announcement comes as polling suggests that her Labour Party is facing a difficult path to re-election on October 14.

Ardern, 42, became the youngest female head of government in the world when she was elected prime minister in 2017, at the age of 37. A year later, she became the second elected world leader to ever give birth while in office, following Pakistan's Benazir Bhutto in 1990. During her time in office, she successfully navigated the country through the Covid-19 pandemic and its ensuing recession, the Christchurch mosque shootings, and the White Island volcanic eruption.

Despite her widespread fame, recent polls indicate that Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern's popularity has been waning in her home country of New Zealand. Despite leading her party, the Labour Party, to a decisive victory in the 2020 election, thanks in part to her government's effective early response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Ardern's approval ratings have hit their lowest point since taking office.


In 2022, Ardern acknowledged the decline in her popularity and attributed it to the measures her government took to protect citizens from the virus. However, she has also faced challenges such as rising living costs, public concerns about crime, and unfulfilled campaign promises delayed by the pandemic.

The public's response to Ardern's announcement has been mixed. While some constituents in her home electorate of Auckland have criticized her for increased crime and high cost of living, others have praised her as one of New Zealand's greatest leaders. Ardern emphasized that her decision to step down was not due to her or her party's lack of popularity, but rather to give them a fresh start in the upcoming election.


Labour party members will vote to select her successor on Sunday. If no candidate receives the support of two-thirds of the party, the vote will be opened up to the party's general membership. Ardern will leave the office on February 7th. At this point, it is unclear who will emerge as a contender for the position, but several MPs, including deputy leader Grant Robertson, have already ruled themselves out of the running.

Ardern highlighted her government's progress in areas such as climate change, affordable housing, and reducing child poverty as accomplishments she was particularly proud of. She also expressed hope that her legacy would be remembered as someone who always strived to be kind. The political landscape in New Zealand is now shifting, and it remains to be seen who will take on the role of leadership and guide the country forward.

FAQs:

1. Who served as New Zealand's PM in January 2023?
   Jacinda Ardern.
2. When will Jacinda Ardern step down?
   Ardern will step down by February 7.