New Zealand's Jacinda Ardern quits as leader, citing burnout

New Zealand's Jacinda Ardern quits as leader, citing burnout

New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announced Thursday that she will step down, saying she no longer had “enough in the tank” after a premiership defined by her response

New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announced Thursday that she will step down, saying she no longer had “enough in the tank” after a premiership defined by her response

to a series of crises. Ardern, 42, has become a global progressive icon since her election in 2017 and won praise for her handling of the nation’s worst mass shooting and

to a series of crises. Ardern, 42, has become a global progressive icon since her election in 2017 and won praise for her handling of the nation’s worst mass shooting and

the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic. But her approval ratings have plummeted at home, jeopardizing her re-election prospects and intensifying the vitriolic abuse she has

the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic. But her approval ratings have plummeted at home, jeopardizing her re-election prospects and intensifying the vitriolic abuse she has

experienced throughout her time in office. “With such a privileged role comes responsibility — the responsibility to know when you are the right person to lead, and also

experienced throughout her time in office. “With such a privileged role comes responsibility — the responsibility to know when you are the right person to lead, and also

when you are not,” Ardern said in a surprise announcement in Napier, where her governing center-left Labour Party is holding a caucus retreat. “I know what this job takes, and I

when you are not,” Ardern said in a surprise announcement in Napier, where her governing center-left Labour Party is holding a caucus retreat. “I know what this job takes, and I

know that I no longer have enough in the tank to do it justice.” She said she would resign as prime minister no later than Feb. 7 and would not seek re-election to

know that I no longer have enough in the tank to do it justice.” She said she would resign as prime minister no later than Feb. 7 and would not seek re-election to

Parliament later this year.'Weighty' decisions “This has been the most fulfilling 5½ years of my life, but it has also had its challenges,” Ardern told reporters. “Among an

Parliament later this year.'Weighty' decisions “This has been the most fulfilling 5½ years of my life, but it has also had its challenges,” Ardern told reporters. “Among an

agenda focused on housing, child poverty and climate change, we encountered a major biosecurity incursion, a domestic terror event, a major natural disaster, a global pandemic and

agenda focused on housing, child poverty and climate change, we encountered a major biosecurity incursion, a domestic terror event, a major natural disaster, a global pandemic and

an economic crisis.

an economic crisis.