Jacinda Ardern shuts down theories misogyny led to her quit as New Zealand Prime Minister 

Jacinda Ardern has denied that misogyny and the pressures of raising a family while New Zealand’s prime minister were the reasons she left the top job.

Announcing his resignation after 5 1/2 years on Thursday, Ardern said he simply didn’t have enough left in the tank to give.

Debbie Ngarewa-Packer, the co-leader of the Māori political party, Te Pāti Māori, had speculated that the prime minister had been burned by “personal attacks” and “defamation”, mainly due to her strict Covid restrictions.

Meanwhile, New Zealand actor Sam Neill said he was not surprised that someone who received misogynistic comments and attacks from “thugs” would want to resign.

A day after her shock announcement, Ms Ardern said women in leadership positions could enjoy having a family in a way they may have struggled with before in recent years.

‘Is there more work to be done (for women in leadership)? Yes, but that was not the cause of my departure,” she told reporters outside Hawke’s Bay airport on Friday.

Ms Ardern highlighted the “incredible support” she received during her tenure, which saw her give birth to daughter Neve, now four.

The PM appeared relaxed while speaking to the media and was seen standing with her hands in her pockets while wearing sneakers.

“I’ll have to admit that I slept well for the first time in a long time last night,” she said.

Ms. Ardern said she doesn’t regret her decision, despite how difficult it was to achieve.

‘There is still a range of emotions. Of course I feel sad, but I also have a sense of relief,” she said.

I don’t doubt the decision.

During his announcement, he denied that his decision to resign was prompted by constant threats and attacks on his character.

Ms Ardern said she hoped to spend more time with her fiance Clarke Gayford and their daughter Neve.

Ms Ardern noted that while there would be much speculation about the “real reason” for her departure, it was simply because she had nothing more to give.

Ms Ngarewa-Packer, however, claimed that Ms Ardern was “ousted from office for constant personalization and vilification”.

“Your whanau have withstood the ugliest attacks in the last two years with what we believe to be the most demeaning form of politics we have ever seen,” he continued.

Ms Ngarewa-Packer recognized the Prime Minister’s ‘outstanding contribution’ to New Zealand.

“She has guided our country through its darkest moments with absolute dignity while managing to keep our country’s economic status in line with the most successful OECD countries in the world,” he said.

New Zealand actor Sam Neill (pictured in Spain on October 11, 2019) has passionately defended Jacinda Ardern hours after she resigned as New Zealand Prime Minister.

‘Our country needed the grace of a wahine guide us through this period of our history and he did so with the utmost humility and integrity.’

Former Prime Minister Helen Clark, who was New Zealand’s first elected female leader, echoed Ms Ngarewa-Packer’s concerns about Ms Ardern’s treatment.

“The pressures on prime ministers are always great, but in this age of social media, clickbait and 24/7 media cycles, Jacinda has faced a level of hate and vitriol that, in my opinion, experience is unprecedented in our country,” he said.

“Our society could now usefully reflect on whether it wants to continue to tolerate the excessive polarization that is making politics an ever less attractive vocation.”

Neill also weighed in on her resignation, sending her a heartfelt message of support.

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern resigned today. She doesn’t surprise me, nor do I blame her,’ she wrote.

The PM appeared relaxed while speaking to the media on Friday at Hawke’s Bay airport and was seen standing with her hands in her pockets while wearing sneakers.

“The treatment you’ve been getting these past few months, the terrible backlog of the left, the right, the wronged, the whiners, the crazy, the know-it-alls, the misogynists, etc., has been shameful and shameful. .

“I think she was a great leader in the most difficult moments. She deserved better. And we will get what we deserve: inferior leadership.

‘I will personally miss her. And thanks to her. And wish you a much happier future.

Ms Ardern brushed off a reporter’s sexist comment when she asked if she and Finland’s Prime Minister Sanna Marin were only meeting because they were similar ages.

“A lot of people are going to wonder, are you two just meeting because you’re a similar age and, you know, you have a lot in common there… Or can New Zealanders hope to see more deals between the two countries in the future?” ?’ she asked herself at a joint press conference with the couple.

Ms Ardern was quick to cut him off to say: “I wonder if anyone ever asked Barack Obama and (former New Zealand Prime Minister) John Key and if they met because they were similar in age?”

‘We, of course, have a higher proportion of men in politics. It’s a reality. But just because two women know each other, it’s not just because of their gender.

Ms Ardern said Thursday she was looking forward to spending time with her fiance Clarke Gayford and their daughter.

I know what this job requires. And I know I don’t have enough in the tank anymore to do it justice,” she said.

‘I would be doing myself a disservice if I continued.

‘Neve, Mum can’t wait to be there when you start school this year. And to Clarke, let’s get married at last.

Ardern steps down at 42 after becoming leader just over five years ago on October 26, 2017, and was New Zealand’s youngest prime minister, and before the youngest sitting MP in 2008, aged 28 .

She insisted that her party trailing in the polls against the rival National Party ahead of the next election had nothing to do with her decision to resign.

“I’m not leaving because I think we can’t win the election, but because I think we can and we will,” he said.

“But we need a new set of shoulders for the challenges of this year and the next three.”