5 moments that defined Jacinda Ardern’s time as New Zealand prime minister

WELLINGTON, New Zealand — New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, who won global praise for her empathetic leadership style and was seen by many liberals as a young,

liberal antidote to populist politics elsewhere, announced her resignation Thursday. Ardern, 42, said she had decided, after a southern hemisphere summer break, that she

no longer had enough left in the “tank” to contest national elections later this year. “I am human. Politicians are human. We give all that we can, for as long as we can, and then

it’s time,” she told reporters. Her 5½ years as leader were among the most challenging in the country’s modern history. She won praise for her calm stewardship of the

Pacific nation through major events including the 2019 terrorist attack on two Christchurch mosques, a volcanic eruption, and the global coronavirus pandemic. More

recently, however, domestic sentiment toward her government has soured as the island nation emerges from a long period of pandemic isolation and faces the prospect of a recession.

She was also subjected to repeated misogynistic abuse, which escalated during the pandemic. Here are some of the major events that contributed to the “Jacindamania”

phenomenon. 1. The Christchurch terrorist attack In March 2019, a lone gunman killed more than 50 people and injured dozens in attacks at two mosques in the southern

city of Christchurch. The event shocked New Zealanders, who had not previously experienced deadly violence on such a scale.