NZ Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern shocked everyone by announcing her retirement from politics this Thursday, holding back tears as she stated that she did not have the energy to seek re-election.
“I’m entering now my sixth year in office and for each of these years I have given my absolute all,” she said.
“I know what this job takes. And I know that I no longer have enough in the tank to do it justice. This summer I had hoped to find a way to prepare not just for this year but for another term … I have not been able to do that. I would be doing a disservice to continue.”
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Speaking from Napier, where Labour’s caucus had gathered for a year-starting retreat, The Prime Minister said she left without regrets and would like to be remembered as someone who always tried to be kind.
Ms Ardern then announced that New Zealand’s next election date will be on the 14 October, with a new Prime Minister to be potentially appointed as soon as Sunday when Labour’s caucus will meet to consider the party leadership.
“I am not leaving because I believe we can’t win the election but because I believe we can and will need a fresh set of shoulders for that challenge,” she said.
There are no confirmed contenders for the party leadership, with deputy prime minister Grant Robertson ruling himself out while paying tribute to Ardern.
“It has been the honour of my working life to have supported Jacinda as minister of finance and as deputy prime minister,” he said.
“Her intellect, judgement and empathy mark her out as one of New Zealand’s finest leaders. As a colleague, a friend and a New Zealander I am incredibly grateful for her service and commitment and wish her every joy and success in the future.”
Contenders to succeed Ms Ardern as Prime Minister include Minister for Education Chris Hipkins, Minister for Foreign Affairs Nanaia Mahuta, Minister for Immigration Michael Wood and former Labor leader Andrew Little.
Colleagues were left reeling by the bombshell announcement.
“I wasn’t expecting it. It was a hell of a surprise,” Emergency Management Minister Kieran McAnulty said.
“She’s slugged her guts out for five and a half years for this country and I hope people take a step back and acknowledge that because she deserves it.”
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First elected in 2017, Ms Ardern rode a wave of “Jacindamania” to become prime minister weeks after taking the Labour leadership.
The 42-year-old became known worldwide for her compassionate brand of leadership, comforting New Zealanders in the wake of the country’s worst terror attack in 2019.
She led Labour to a thumping re-election in 2020 in a campaign defined by her government’s COVID-19 management.
With AAP