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A woman with a traditional face tattoo and New Zealand’s first openly gay deputy prime minister are just some of the names being pitched to replace Jacinda Ardern as the country’s top job.
Ms. Ardern announced Thursday that she would step down on February 7, after five and a half years in the role.
There is feverish speculation as to who will take his place in the spotlight now in a handful of contenders.
Potential candidates include Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Grant Robertson and Education Minister Chris Hipkins, while Foreign Minister Nanaia Mahuta may also have a chance.
Ms Ardern denied that her declining popularity in the polls, which stems significantly from harsh Covid restrictions, was the reason behind her sudden departure.
In a poll published in December, the Labor Party’s popularity fell 1 percent to 33 percent, while the country’s main centre-right party, the National, rose one point to 38 percent.
Although Robertson has already said he has no intention of running the country, political analysts believe there is still time for him to reconsider.
Ms. Ardern announced Thursday in an emotional press conference that she would step down on February 7, after five and a half years in the top job.
Political analysts say Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Grant Robertson could take the top job, despite saying he has no interest in leading the country.
The New Zealand Herald’s senior political correspondent Audrey Young said Ms Ardern and Mr Robertson are “in a league of their own within the Labor cabinet”.
in a piece For the publication, Ms Young said Mr Robertson may feel a “responsibility” to remain in his role as finance minister.
“He should not be burdened by the promise he made in 2014 not to run for Labor leadership again, having narrowly lost to Andrew Little. He is needed now,’ he wrote.
‘The best option would be for Robertson to change his mind, become prime minister and give finances to (Education Minister) Chris Hipkins, or Deputy Finance Minister Megan Woods.
“The second best option would be for Hipkins to become Prime Minister and obviously leave Finance with Robertson.”
Robertson became the first openly gay man to serve as Deputy Prime Minister in November 2020. And if Robertson reconsiders, he would make history as New Zealand’s first openly gay Prime Minister.
Foreign Minister Nanaia Mahuta became the first member of parliament to don a moko kauae, a cultural mark worn by Maori women.
“I still get a lot of emails and messages from gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender youth who look to us for that kind of role model,” he said at the time.
“So, I’ll continue to do my job the way I’ve been doing it, but I’m very proud to have the part.”
Following Ms. Ardern’s resignation, Mr. Robertson made it clear that he would not jump into the fray.
‘In 2014, when I failed to secure the leadership of the Party for the second time, I indicated that I would not run again. My position has not changed,’ he said in a statement.
“It is a job that you must unequivocally want to do to do it the justice it deserves.
“I have every confidence that there are colleagues within the Caucus who are capable of playing the role and have the desire to do so.”
Instead, he said he would be committed to his role as finance minister.
Meanwhile, Hipkins, the education and police minister, rose to prominence for spearheading the country’s response to the covid pandemic.
Chris Mr. Hipkins, the education and police minister, rose to fame for spearheading the country’s response to the covid pandemic.
When asked about his intention to take over, Hipkins said he wasn’t ruling anything out, but added: “I think people just need a little bit of time.”
Ms. Mahuta became the first woman parliamentarian to wear a moko kawaea cultural brand worn by Maori women, in parliament and was also the first woman to hold the post of Foreign Minister.
Mrs. Mahuta he has ties to Maori royalty, his father being the adoptive son of King Korokī.
She got the tattoo in 2016, saying it offers “positive ways to enable cultural expression and pride in being Maori.”
While she is a potential contender, her role in the controversial Three Waters Reform is likely to hurt her chances of assuming leadership.
The reform implied that the municipal water, sewerage and rainwater services of 67 municipalities were transferred to four large entities.
Another candidate for prime minister, Kiri Allan, (centre) New Zealand’s justice minister, would also be the country’s first openly gay leader if elected, as well as the first prime minister of Maori descent.
Waimakariri Mayor Dan Gordon said many residents were “not happy about losing control of their assets and infrastructure.”
Another prime ministerial candidate, Kiri Allan, New Zealand’s justice minister, would also be the country’s first openly gay leader if elected, as well as the first prime minister of Maori descent.
Ms Allan is a former lawyer and has held numerous ministerial posts for Labor since 2020.
Announcing his resignation Thursday, Ardern said a good leader knows when to quit.
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.”