New Zealand PM, Jacinda Arden, steps down, says ‘I no longer have enough in the tank’
Jacinda Arden has resigned from her role as prime minister of New Zealand.
Arden made the announcement on Thursday at the annual caucus meeting of the ruling Labour Party, saying she no longer has “enough in the tank” to lead.
In an emotional speech, the 42-year-old said she had taken time to consider her future over the summer break, hoping to find the motivation to continue her job.
“Unfortunately I haven’t, and I would be doing a disservice to New Zealand to continue,” she said.
“And so today, I’m announcing that I will no longer be seeking re-election, and then my term as prime minister will conclude no longer than the 7th of February.
“This has been the most fulfiling five and a half years of my life. I am leaving because with such a privileged role comes responsibility – the responsibility to know when you are the right person to lead and also when you’re not.
“I know what this job takes and I know that I no longer have enough in the tank to do it justice, it’s that simple.”
Arden said leading the country had been difficult, adding that the effort required of the job was not worth the cost.
“These events have been tasking because of the weight, the sheer weight and continual nature of them. There’s never really been a moment where it’s ever felt like we were just governing,” she said.