“I’m entering my sixth year in office, and during that time, I’ve given my all,” she said.
Ardern inspired women around the world after reaching the top spot in 2017 at the relatively young age of 37. She was a part-time DJ and, like most politicians, was never married.
For many, she was the antithesis of US President Donald Trump.
In 2018, she became the second leader in the world to give birth while in office. Later that year, she took her little daughter to the floor of the United Nations General Assembly in New York.
In March 2019, President Ardern faced one of the darkest days in New Zealand history. A white supremacist gunman stormed his two mosques in Christchurch, massacring 51 people. She was widely admired for the way she empathized with subsequent survivors and the New Zealand Muslim community.
Less than nine months later, she faced another tragedy when 22 tourists and guides died when the White Island volcano erupted.
Ardern has been lauded globally for her country’s first response to the coronavirus pandemic. After New Zealand managed to stop the virus at its borders for months. However, as more contagious variants spread and vaccines became more widely available, she was forced to abandon that zero-tolerance strategy.
Prime Minister Ardern has faced mounting anger from those opposing coronavirus mandates and rules. Protests against a vaccine mandate that began on parliamentary grounds last year have lasted more than three weeks, with protesters throwing stones at police. This year, Ardern was forced to cancel the annual barbecue she hosts over safety concerns.
Prime Minister Ardern announced last month that a broad Royal Commission of Inquiry would look into whether the government has made the right decisions in the fight against COVID-19 and how it can prepare for future pandemics. I will report next year.
Some experts said sexist attitudes played a role in the anger directed at Ardern.
But her government has also faced criticism that it has big ideas but lacks execution. Concerned, opponents said there was not enough focus on crime and a sluggish economy.
Farmers opposed plans to tax cow burps and other greenhouse gas emissions.
Ardern faced grim reelection prospects. Her center-left Labor Party won a historic landslide victory in her 2020 re-election, but recent polls show her party trailing conservative rivals.
Ardern said the role requires preparation to face the unexpected.
“But I didn’t quit because it was hard. If that were the case, I probably would have quit my job in two months,” she said. It is your responsibility to know when you are the right person for leadership and when you are not.”
She said her time at the office was productive but challenging.
“I know what this job requires and I know there isn’t enough left in the tank to justify it. It’s that simple,” she said.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said Ardern “showed how to lead the world with intelligence and power”.
“She demonstrated that empathy and insight are powerful leadership qualities,” Albanese tweeted.
“Jacinda is a staunch defender of New Zealand, an inspiration to many and a great friend to me,” he added.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau thanked Ardern for her friendship and “empathetic, compassionate, strong and steady leadership” on Twitter.
Ardern planned an independent course in New Zealand. She tried to take a more diplomatic approach to China than to neighboring Australia, which has come to conflict with Beijing. He said it shouldn’t be a one-up game.
Ardern on Thursday announced that New Zealand’s 2023 general election will take place on 14 October and will remain an MP until then.
It is unclear who will become prime minister until the election. Deputy Prime Minister Grant Robertson announced that he would not challenge the leader of the Labor party and launched the race.
Labor MPs vote for a new leader on Sunday. If no candidate receives at least two-thirds of the support in the caucuses, the leadership election will be held among the wider party. Ardern encourages her party to choose her replacement by the time she ends her position on February 7.
New Zealand opposition leader Christopher Luxon said Mr Ardern had been a powerful ambassador for the country on the world stage. continue to be passionate about providing a government that can get things done for
Aside from family commitments to daughter Neve and fiancée Clark Gayford, Ardern said after leaving the office, her immediate plans are to said no.
Ardern said, “Mr. Neve, your mom is looking forward to seeing you start school this year. And to Clark, let’s finally get married.”
