Jacinda Ardern
NAPIER, NEW ZEALAND – JANUARY 19: New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announces her resignation at the War Memorial Centre on January 19, 2023 in Napier, New Zealand. (Photo by Kerry Marshall/Getty Images)

The Prime Minister of New Zealand, Jacinda Ardern, has made the shock decision to step down from her leadership post from February 7. Ardern appeared in a press conference on Thursday to announce her resignation and also called for an election on October 14.

“I know what this job takes. And I know that I no longer have enough in the tank to do it justice,” the leader said while fighting back tears. Ardern noted that she had the support of her family to continue in the role, but that they respected her decision. She also honoured her team, saying, “I never led on my own.”

“It’s one thing to lead your country through peace time, it’s another to lead them through crisis. I had the privilege of being alongside NZ in a crisis and they placed their faith in me,” she said.

Jacinda Ardern
WELLINGTON, NEW ZEALAND – MARCH 17: Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern hugs a mosque-goer at the Kilbirnie Mosque on March 17, 2019 in Wellington, New Zealand. 50 people are confirmed dead and 36 are injured still in hospital following shooting attacks on two mosques in Christchurch on Friday, 15 March. The attack is the worst mass shooting in New Zealand’s history. (Photo by Hagen Hopkins/Getty Images)

Ardern was elected Prime Minister in 2017 and saw the country through the Christchurch massacre – two mass shootings which claimed the lives of 51 people – the White Island volcano eruption, and the COVID-19 pandemic.

Oprah Winfrey is one of many prominent people to have praised her leadership. Referring to Ardern’s response to the Christchurch shootings she said, “I have never seen such leadership. A woman who has the courage of her convictions and has set a global standard in leadership with her response.”

Jacinda Ardern
WAITANGI, NEW ZEALAND – FEBRUARY 04: New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern (L) and her daughter Neve Gayford at the upper Treaty grounds at Waitangi on February 04, 2020 in Waitangi, New Zealand. The Waitangi Day national holiday celebrates the signing of the treaty of Waitangi on February 6, 1840 by Maori chiefs and the British Crown, that granted the Maori people the rights of British Citizens and ownership of their lands and other properties. (Photo by Fiona Goodall/Getty Images)

Ardern was just 37 when she was elected Prime Minister becoming the country’s youngest leader since the 1800s. She is New Zealand’s third female Prime Minister. She also gave birth to her daughter Neve in 2018 becoming just the second world leader to give birth while in office.