New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern is resigning.
Her final day in office will be on 7 February – and a general election has been called for 14 October.
The 42-year-old, who became New Zealand’s prime minister in 2017, said: “I believe that leading a country is the most privileged job anyone could ever have, but also one of the more challenging.
“You cannot, and should not do it, unless you have a full tank, plus a bit in reserve for those unexpected challenges.
“This summer I had hoped to find a way to prepare not just for another year, but for another term, because that is what this year requires.
“I have not been able to do that.”
Choking back tears, she continued: “And so today I’m announcing that I will not be seeking re-election, and that my term as prime minister will conclude no later than 7 February.”
Ms Ardern added that her time in office had been “the most fulfilling five and a half years of my life”.
She said: “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.”
Ms Ardern continued: “While I won’t be contesting the (next) election, I know the issues that impact New Zealanders most will remain the focus of the government through this year and into the election.”
Ms Ardern said she still believed New Zealand Labour would win the upcoming election.
The outgoing prime minister also said she will remain the member of parliament for Mount Albert until April.
Speaking of her decision to resign, she said: “I know there will be much discussion in the aftermath of this decision as to what the so-called ‘real reason’ was.
“I can tell you that what I am sharing today is it.
“The only interesting angle that you will find, is that after going on for six years of some big challenges, I am human.”
Ms Ardern added that beyond that she has “no plan” and “no next steps” but she will “try and find ways to keep working for New Zealand”.
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She finished by saying: “As to my time in the job, I hope I leave New Zealanders with a belief that you can be kind, but strong, empathetic but decisive, optimistic but focused.
“And that you can be your own kind of leader – one who knows when it’s time to go.”
Ms Ardern enjoyed high approval ratings for most of her two-term tenure but faced a tough election campaign in 2023.
She is resigning just two years after she led her party to a landslide general election victory in October 2020.