Category Archives: Jacinda Ardern

New Zealands prime minister, Jacinda Ardern, has said she is resigning, in an unexpected announcement that came as she confirmed a national election for October.

At the partys first caucus meeting of the year on Thursday, Ardern said she no longer had enough in the tank to do the job. Its time, she added.

Im 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. Its that simple, she said.

Her term as prime minister will conclude no later than 7 February but she will continue as an MP until the election this year.

I am human, politicians are human. We give all that we can for as long as we can. And then its time. And for me, its time, she said.

Ardern said she had reflected over the summer break on whether she had the energy to continue in the role, and had concluded she did not.

Ardern became the worlds youngest female head of government when she was elected prime minister in 2017 at 37. She has led New Zealand through the Covid-19 pandemic, and a series of disasters including the terrorist attack on two mosques in Christchurch, and the White Island volcanic eruption.

This has been the most fulfilling five and a half years of my life. But its also had its challenges among an agenda focused on housing, child poverty and climate change, we encountered a domestic terror event, a major natural disaster, a global pandemic, and an economic crisis, she said.

Asked how she would like New Zealanders to remember her leadership, Ardern said as someone who always tried to be kind.

I hope I leave New Zealanders with a belief that you can be kind, but strong, empathetic but decisive, optimistic but focused. And that you can be your own kind of leader one who knows when its time to go, Ardern said.

Over the past year, Ardern has faced a significant increase in threats of violence, particularly from conspiracy theorist and anti-vaccine groups infuriated by the countrys vaccine mandates and lockdowns. She said, however, that the increased risk associated with the job were not behind her decision to step down.

I dont want to leave the impression that the adversity you face in politics is the reason that people exit. Yes, it does have an impact. We are humans after all, but that was not the basis of my decision, she said.

Ardern said she had no future plans, other than to spend more time with her family.

She 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 lets finally get married.

The prime ministers announcement came as a shock to many New Zealanders. During a brief flurry of speculation over Arderns possible resignation in late 2022, the prime minister said she had no intention of doing so. In the weeks leading up to Thursdays announcement, there were no clues or leaks to suggest her resignation was on the cards.

The news arrives as New Zealand enters a closely fought election year, with the date of the vote announced for 14 October. Polling over recent months had placed the Ardern-led Labour party slightly behind the opposition National.

Ardern said her decline in the polls did not prompt her decision to leave.

Im not leaving because I believe we cant win the election, but because I believe we can and will, and we need a fresh set of shoulders for that challenge, she said.

Who will replace Ardern is not yet clear: the deputy leader and finance minister, Grant Robertson, who would be considered a frontrunner, said on Thursday that he would not be seeking the position.I am not putting myself forward to be a candidate for the leadership of the Labour party, he said.

The Labour caucus has seven days to find out whether a new candidate holds more than two-thirds of support within caucus to become the new leader and prime minister. A caucus vote for a new leader will take place on 22 January. If no one meets that threshold level of support, the leadership contest will go to the wider Labour membership.

The 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.

Her leadership in the aftermath of the Christchurch terror attacks was simultaneously strong and compassionate, and is something she can be proud of, he added.

The prime minister of Australia, Anthony Albanese, paid tribute to Ardern, saying she has shown the world how to lead with intellect and strength She has demonstrated that empathy and insight are powerful leadership qualities.

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Jacinda Ardern resigns as prime minister of New Zealand

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Grant Robertson, Nicola Willis to be the main focus of election 2023 instead of Jacinda Ardern, Christopher Luxon - commentator - Newshub

Sanna Marin, prime minister of Finland, left, and New Zealand Prime Minster Jacinda Ardern pose at Government House in Auckland, New Zealand. Marin is in New Zealand for a three-day visit, which sparked international interest after a reporters asked questions about the leaders' ages and gender. Dave Rowland/Getty Images hide caption

Sanna Marin, prime minister of Finland, left, and New Zealand Prime Minster Jacinda Ardern pose at Government House in Auckland, New Zealand. Marin is in New Zealand for a three-day visit, which sparked international interest after a reporters asked questions about the leaders' ages and gender.

New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern fired back at a reporter's suggestion she met with Finland Prime Minister Sanna Marin "just because" of their similarities, such as age and gender.

The comments came at a joint press conference on Wednesday, which was held to highlight Marin's diplomatic visit to Auckland. The two leaders are expected to discuss trade relations and Ukraine support.

"A lot of people will be wondering, are you two meeting just because you're similar in age and, you know, got a lot of common stuff there," a reporter from a New Zealand outlet asked Ardern.

"Or can Kiwi's actually expect to see more deals down the line between the two countries"

"My first question is I wonder whether or not anyone ever asked [former U.S. President] Barack Obama and [former New Zealand Prime Minister] John Key and if they met because they were of similar age," Ardern interjected with a smile, referencing the five-day age difference between the two leaders.

"We of course have a higher proportion of men in politics. It's reality. But because two women meet, it's not simply because of their gender."

She went on to describe her country's dependence on $199 million in Finnish imports and the economic potential behind increasing European exports.

When it was her turn to speak, Marin added simply, "We are meeting because we're prime ministers," before turning to Finland's desire to undo its economic dependence on authoritarian regimes.

"It's our job to further [our countries' economic opportunities], regardless of our gender," she concluded.

Reaction to the question was swift and critical on social media, with many labeling the reporter as sexist and misogynistic.

Finland's Prime Minister Sanna Marin, left, offered a simple rebuttal to a reporter's suggestion she was meeting with New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern because of their ages. "We are meeting because we are prime ministers," she said. Dave Rowland/Getty Images hide caption

Finland's Prime Minister Sanna Marin, left, offered a simple rebuttal to a reporter's suggestion she was meeting with New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern because of their ages. "We are meeting because we are prime ministers," she said.

"He was one sentence away from asking the prime ministers if they met to talk about boys and if their periods have synced up yet," one journalist tweeted.

Another Twitter user wrote it was "a shame some journalists spoke to [Ardern and Marin] like they are 1950s housewives organizing a coffee morning."

Neither Ardern, 42, nor Marin, 37, is a stranger to public attention on their ages.

Elected in 2019, Marin was the world's youngest serving head of government until 2021, when Gabriel Boric, age 35, won the Chilean presidency.

Marin has defended her maturity and competency since August, when videos of her dancing and singing with friends at a private party were published online.

"I have a family life, I have a work life and I have free time to spend with my friends. Pretty much the same as many people my age," she said after the news of the videos broke.

She echoed that sentiment again on Wednesday, when another New Zealand reporter pointed out that the title of "party prime minister" had followed her to Auckland.

"During our governmental period, there has been the global pandemic, there's war now in Europe, there's an energy crisis, perhaps an economic crisis in front of us. So there are many things on my plate that are more concerning than my free time," Marin said.

"You are free to discuss and write what you want, but I'm focusing on the issues that are in our program."

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Jacinda Ardern fires back at suggestion she met with Sanna Marin ...

Jacinda Ardern has been dealt a major blow as National Party support in the opinion polls continues to surge. Ms Ardern, who was first elected as New Zealand's Prime Minister in 2017, previously saw her popularity increase during the coronavirus pandemic.

However, support for the Kiwi Labour leader is down to 29 percent, marking her worst approval rating since entering office.

The latest 1News/Kantar poll also revealed that Christopher Luxon's National Party has opened up a five-point lead over Labour in the primary vote.

Minor parties have also witnessed a boost in support.

ACT, which is considered a right-wing and libertarian party, registered 11 percent.

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Ex-Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters was also given a polling heave as support for New Zealand First reached four percent.

New Zealand's Green Party also hold a steady nine percent of the vote, according to the survey.

Sky News Australia has claimed that the opinion poll could see Ms Ardern's Government lose its majority.

Labour was forced to rely on support from New Zealand First from 2017 to 2020.

Recent changes in public mood appear to reflect growing frustrations about the cost of living, rising interest rates and a surge in crime.

A stabbing of an Auckland dairy worker in Ms Ardern's Morningside constituency sparked protests last week as demonstrators expressed concerns about the link between inequality and crime.

Ms Ardern acknowledged it was a difficult time to govern but she and Labour had experience of tough times.

She added: "You see us as a government coming forward with ideas and proposals to take on those challenges.

"Contrast that to the alternative - the Opposition has not produced those ideas.

"Our job is to crack on because we have the privilege of governing, and that is what we're doing."

National leader Luxon, who formerly headed up Air New Zealand, added: "What they can see is a government that's just not getting things done.

"This is a fantastic country, we have great potential, we have great opportunities ahead of us but we're just not realising them, and that's what Kiwis are very frustrated about."

Ms Ardern will face her next electoral test on December 10 in Hamilton West's upcoming by-election.

Hamilton West has been something of a swing seat in recent elections, having voted for the largest party in all nine elections since 1996.

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Jacinda Ardern dealt major blow as National support surges ahead of New ...

1. Jacinda Ardern's 2023 Election Prospects Dim as New Zealand Recession Looms  Bloomberg
2. Jacinda Ardern vows to focus on economy after months of poor polling  The Guardian
3. PM Jacinda Ardern on plans for next year: 'Making sure the economy is our priority'  RNZ
4. Ardern asks Cabinet ministers to consider priorities over summer  Stuff
5. PM mulls lifting incomes with tax credits, but tax cuts could be a while away  New Zealand Herald
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Jacinda Ardern's 2023 Election Prospects Dim as New Zealand Recession Looms - Bloomberg

Ukraine invasion: Jacinda Ardern rejects 'Russian disinformation' claiming New Zealand pledged allegiance to the Nazis  Newshub

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Ukraine invasion: Jacinda Ardern rejects 'Russian disinformation' claiming New Zealand pledged allegiance to the Nazis - Newshub

Jacinda Ardern doesn't apologise over MIQ lottery system as documents reveal Govt considered imprisoning Kiwis who used loophole  Newshub

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Jacinda Ardern doesn't apologise over MIQ lottery system as documents reveal Govt considered imprisoning Kiwis who used loophole - Newshub

New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern Faces an Uphill Battle to Win a Third Term Next ... - Latest  LatestLY

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New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern Faces an Uphill Battle to Win a Third Term Next ... - Latest - LatestLY