Jacinda Ardern RESIGNS as New Zealand’s Prime Minister in press conference

JACINDA Ardern has resigned as New Zealand’s Prime Minister in an emotional press conference.

Holding back tears, the Labour Party leader said “it’s time” for her to step back from the role.

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She said: “This has been the most fulfilling five and a half years of my life.

“I am human. Politicians are human. We give all we can for as long as we can – and then it’s time. And for me, it’s time.

“I know what this job takes. And I know that I no longer have enough in the tank to do it justice.”

Her caucus will vote on Sunday to see if a candidate has more than two-thirds of the party’s support to replace her.

That vote will determine both a new Party leader – and a new Prime Minister.

The contest will be extended out to the wider membership if no one is able to meet the level of support needed.

During the press conference, Ms Ardern announced the next election in Aotearoa would be held on October 14.

She said her decision was not due to any uncertainty her party has what it takes to beat the National Party’s Christopher Luxon when it comes time for Kiwis to vote.

Ms Ardern said: “I am not leaving because I believe we can’t win the election but because I believe we can and will.”

In her speech, she shared a message to her partner, Clarke Gayford, who was in the room with her during the announcement.

She told him: “Let’s finally get married.”

To her daughter, Neve, she said: “Mum is looking forward to being there when you start school next year.”

In making her moving statement, Ms Ardern reflected on some of the moments in her career she saw as high points.

She said: ”In addition to our ambitious agenda that has sought to address long term issues like the housing crisis, child poverty and climate change, we also had to respond to a major biosecurity incursion, a domestic terror attack, a volcanic eruption and a one in one hundred year global pandemic and ensuing economic crisis.

“The decisions that had to be made have been constant and weighty.

”I’m incredibly proud of what we’ve achieved over the last five years in spite of the many challenges thrown at us.

“We’ve turned around child poverty statistics and made the most significant increases in welfare support and public housing stock seen in many decades.”