Jacinda Ardern sent a jolt around the world on Thursday with her unexpected decision to stand down as New Zealand’s premier – earning warm praise from fellow leaders and triggering speculation over what she might do next.
The 42-year-old became a global icon of the left and exemplified a new style of leadership, becoming the first prime minister since Pakistan’s Benazir Bhutto to have a baby in the job and then take maternity leave.
In an emotional and tearful address, she announced she will stand down next month, saying she was too tired to seek a third term.
“I no longer have enough in the tank,” she said.
But while some have suggested she might seek a new career in diplomacy or global affairs, Ms Ardern has hinted her family will be her next focus after she steps down on 7 February.
Beyond overseeing the appointment of a successor as Labour Party leader, she said has no plans “other than spending a bit of time with my family and then seeing what’s next”.
She addressed her daughter and her long-time partner Clarke Gayford, in her remarks, saying her family had arguably “sacrificed the most out of all of us”.
“To Neve, mum is looking forward to being there when you start school this year,” she said. “And to Clarke, let’s finally get married.”
New Zealand will hold a general election on 14 October. Ms Ardern’s successor faces a stern test, with support for Labour falling and the country expected to go into a recession next quarter.
Nevertheless there was warmth on Thursday for a leader who handled the Covid pandemic and the country’s worst mass shooting at two mosques in Christchurch.
The Canadian PM Justin Trudeau said: “The difference you have made is immeasurable.”
Australia’s Anthony Albanese said: “Jacinda Ardern has shown the world how to lead with intellect and strength. She has demonstrated that empathy and insight are powerful leadership qualities.”
He added: “Jacinda has been a fierce advocate for New Zealand, an inspiration to so many and a great friend to me.”
In Davos, the president of Moldova, Maia Sandu, said, “I have all the respect for Jacinda and I admire her. I’m sorry she made such a decision, but this might be a temporary decision. It’s not easy.”
Ms Ardern became the world’s youngest female head of government when she was elected prime minister in 2017, aged 37, and said she had taken time last summer to ponder her future.
“I had hoped that I would find what I needed to carry on over that period but, unfortunately, I haven’t, and I would be doing a disservice to New Zealand to continue,” she said.
She added: “I hope I leave New Zealanders with a belief that you can be kind but strong, empathetic but decisive, optimistic but focused ... that you can be your own kind of leader, one who knows when it’s time to go.”
Anne-Marie Brady, a professor of politics at New Zealand’s University of Canterbury, said Ms Ardern had been “very upfront and relatable”.
Women have been liberated but “patriarchal institutions” have not evolved enough to support family life, she said.
“We need people like Jacinda Ardern in politics. So, her situation is cause for reflection about what we can do more to support women in politics, and men and their family life too.”
Recently she was caught on a hot mic, calling a rival an “arrogant p***”. The pair agreed to see the funny side of it, and auctioned a signed recording of the comments for charity.
Ms Ardern insisted she was not leaving because her party faced a tough challenge in this year’s elections.
“I am not leaving because it was hard. Had that been the case I probably would have departed two months into the job,” she said. “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 are not. I know what this job takes, and I know that I no longer have enough in the tank to do it justice. It is that simple.”
She added: “We need a fresh set of shoulders for that challenge.”
“I’m looking forward to spending time with my family once again,” she said.
“Arguably, they’re the ones that have sacrificed the most out of all of us. And so to Neve, Mum is looking forward to being there when you start school this year. And to Clarke, let’s finally get married.”
