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Jacinda Ardern’s shock resignation as New Zealand’s prime minister was prompted by the unrelenting criticism she and her family faced, according to the country’s Maori Party leader.
Ms Ardern held back tears as she announced she was leaving politics at an emotional news conference on Thursday, explaining that she was burned out and had nothing left ‘in the tank’.
She denied that her decision was prompted by constant threats and attacks on her character during her tenure, noting that while there would be much speculation about the “real reason” for her departure, it was simply because she had nothing to give. .
However, Debbie Ngarewa-Packer, co-leader of the Māori political party, Te Pāti Māori, suggested otherwise.
New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern (pictured) announced her resignation on Thursday.
“It is a sad day for politics, where a prominent leader has been ousted from office for constant personalization and vilification,” he said in a statement.
“Your whanau have withstood the worst attacks in the last two years with what we believe to be the most demeaning form of politics we have ever seen.”
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.
‘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.’
Ms Ardern told the Labor Party’s traditional January caucus meeting in Napier that she had hoped to find the energy and heart over the Christmas holidays to stay at work, “but I haven’t been able to do that.”
“Once I realized I didn’t, I knew there was unfortunately no alternative but to deliver now,” he said.
‘I’m human. Politicians are human. We give everything we can for as long as we can, and then it’s time. And for me, it’s time.
I know what this job requires. And I know I don’t have enough in the tank anymore to do it justice.
‘I’m leaving because such a privileged job comes with great responsibility. The responsibility of knowing when you are the right person to lead, and also when you are not.
Co-leader of the Māori political party, Te Pāti Māori, Debbie Ngarewa-Packer (pictured) claimed that Ms Ardern was ousted from her position due to “constant personalization and vilification”.
The Maori party shared its thoughts on the prime minister’s resignation in a social media post.
Ms Ardern (pictured right with her husband Clarke Gayford) denied that the decision to resign was prompted by the constant attacks she faced while in office, saying she had nothing “in the tank”.
“I have given my all to be prime minister, but it has also cost me a lot. You can’t and shouldn’t get the job done unless you have a full tank plus a little in reserve for those unplanned and unexpected challenges that inevitably present themselves.
“Having reflected over the summer, I know I no longer have that little bit more in the tank to do the job justice. It’s that easy.’
Ms Ardern steps down at 42 after becoming leader just over five years ago on 26 October 2017. She was New Zealand’s youngest Prime Minister and, prior to that youngest sitting MP in 2008, was elected at age 28.
His resignation will take effect on Sunday if the Labor Party can elect his replacement with two-thirds of the votes that day, or on February 7 if the process drags on.
During her resignation speech, Ms Ardern announced that New Zealand’s next general election will take place on October 14. She will remain as Mt Albert MP until April, so a by-election would not be necessary.
Ms Ardern said she hoped to find the energy and heart over the Christmas holidays to stay at work, “but I haven’t been able to do that.”
Ms Ardern hugs her fellow MPs after announcing she would be stepping down from the top post.
The Labor Party, which has been in power since the 2017 election, lost its consistent lead in the polls early last year. Voting for the opposition National Party began to rise around October 2021.
Ardern’s rivals took the lead in the polls at the same time his government introduced a new round of restrictions as the country was hit by the Omicron Covid variant.
His government never regained the lead in aggregate polling trends, staying slightly behind the Nationals. However, since the opposition is supported by the right-wing ACT party, it would win a clean majority if elections were held today.
Ms Ardern faced unrelenting criticism for implementing some of the world’s toughest Covid restrictions, including lockdowns where New Zealanders couldn’t even buy takeaways and a border closure of more than two years.
But she denied today that the constant attacks, which continued last year as the economy faltered and the cost of living rose, played a role in her decision.
‘I’m not leaving because it was difficult. If that had been the case, I probably would have left two months after starting the job,” she said.
‘I know when I have enough left in the tank to do it justice. It would be doing a disservice to New Zealanders if it continued.”