Jacinda Ardern’s Shocking Departure and Her Legacy: 'I Don't Have Enough in the Tank' to Keep My Prime Ministership
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After almost six years in power, New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has decided to step down as leader, no later than February 7.
Ardern made the emotional announcement during the Labour Party caucus retreat.
'For me, it's time. I don't have enough in the tank for another four years,' Ardern said.
'I am not leaving because I believe we cannot win the next election, but because I believe we can and will.'
‘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.’
We thought it fitting to take a look at her accomplishments and the legacy she leaves behind.
While Ardern was widely beloved, she also received unprecedented levels of threats and hate from various groups around the world. She has, however, continued to insist that these threats played no role in her resignation.
Something she leaves New Zealand, and the world, with is a reminder of stepping away gracefully. Sometimes you simply know when you have reached the end of a journey and there’s dignity in removing yourself from a situation on your own terms.
‘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.’ Ardern stated.
At the age of 37, Jacinda Ardern captured the world's attention when she was elected as Prime Minister of New Zealand in 2017 – making headlines as she became the world’s youngest female leader and only the second in history to give birth while holding office.
During her time as Prime Minister, she earned global respect and admiration for her poise and leadership amid multiple tragedies, particularly the white supremacist terrorist attacks on two mosques in the city of Christchurch in 2019. When Ardern arrived to meet with the survivors shortly after the attacks – wearing a traditional headscarf – the world watched in admiration as she told the Muslim community that New Zealand was ‘united in grief’.
Her response to the 2019 White Island volcano eruption and the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic further cemented Ardern’s reputation as a politician of great empathy and strength. Throughout her time in office, she has demonstrated that it is possible to make significant change while treating those impacted with kindness and respect.
Members of the SDC, the power of Ardern’s actions remind us of the importance of remaining compassionate in the midst of difficulty. Despite the challenges faced, Ardern was a leader who remained optimistic yet focused, and her ‘go hard, go early’ approach saw New Zealand faring better with the COVID-19 pandemic than many other nations.
Ardern's focus on tackling gun violence and preventing online hate was just as powerful - she implemented a nationwide ban on semi-automatic weapons and assault rifles and introduced other gun controls within weeks of the Christchurch massacre.
No stranger to online hate herself, Ardern launched a global campaign to end online hate, but still had to deal with backlash from those who opposed her coronavirus-related measures.
During her time in office, she faced growing anger at home from those who opposed her government’s coronavirus-related restrictions; prompting her to abandon the nation’s zero-tolerance pandemic strategy as the number of cases began to rise. And a protest last year that began on parliament’s grounds ended with protesters hurling rocks at police and setting fires to tents and mattresses as they were forced to leave.
Before leaving office, she announced a wide-ranging Royal Commission of Inquiry into the effectiveness of the government’s response to COVID-19 and how it could better prepare for future pandemics. The report is expected next year.
Throughout her term, Ardern also sought to build strong connections with countries like Australia, Malaysia and Singapore, as well as to bring New Zealand onto the international stage.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese wrote: ‘Jacinda Ardern has shown the world how to lead with intellect and strength. She has demonstrated that empathy and insight are powerful leadership qualities. Jacinda has been a fierce advocate for New Zealand, an inspiration to so many and a great friend to me.’
Her fiancé, Clarke Gayford, was also present during her resignation announcement.
‘To Neve: mum is looking forward to being there when you start school this year. And to Clarke – let’s finally get married.’
Currently, attention turns to the contenders for the role of Labour’s new leader, with speculation over who will be chosen. There is little doubt that, whoever takes the helm, will face tough challenges in the months and years ahead, not just in New Zealand, but also in a world still struggling with the effects of COVID-19 and an international cost of living crisis.
Labour will select their new leader shortly – if everyone is in agreement, the newly chosen leader will then be sworn in and Ardern will step down.
The general election in New Zealand will still be held on October 14.
No matter how you feel about Ardern’s politics, her commitment to kindness and unity in the face of tragedy should be recognised and celebrated. We here at the SDC congratulate Jacinda Ardern for all her accomplishments during her six years in office, and we wish her success in all future endeavours. Maybe she should come for a holiday Down Under?
Ardern made the emotional announcement during the Labour Party caucus retreat.
'For me, it's time. I don't have enough in the tank for another four years,' Ardern said.
'I am not leaving because I believe we cannot win the next election, but because I believe we can and will.'
‘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.’
We thought it fitting to take a look at her accomplishments and the legacy she leaves behind.
Ardern was the youngest female head of government. Image Credit: Shutterstock
While Ardern was widely beloved, she also received unprecedented levels of threats and hate from various groups around the world. She has, however, continued to insist that these threats played no role in her resignation.
Something she leaves New Zealand, and the world, with is a reminder of stepping away gracefully. Sometimes you simply know when you have reached the end of a journey and there’s dignity in removing yourself from a situation on your own terms.
‘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.’ Ardern stated.
At the age of 37, Jacinda Ardern captured the world's attention when she was elected as Prime Minister of New Zealand in 2017 – making headlines as she became the world’s youngest female leader and only the second in history to give birth while holding office.
During her time as Prime Minister, she earned global respect and admiration for her poise and leadership amid multiple tragedies, particularly the white supremacist terrorist attacks on two mosques in the city of Christchurch in 2019. When Ardern arrived to meet with the survivors shortly after the attacks – wearing a traditional headscarf – the world watched in admiration as she told the Muslim community that New Zealand was ‘united in grief’.
Her response to the 2019 White Island volcano eruption and the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic further cemented Ardern’s reputation as a politician of great empathy and strength. Throughout her time in office, she has demonstrated that it is possible to make significant change while treating those impacted with kindness and respect.
Members of the SDC, the power of Ardern’s actions remind us of the importance of remaining compassionate in the midst of difficulty. Despite the challenges faced, Ardern was a leader who remained optimistic yet focused, and her ‘go hard, go early’ approach saw New Zealand faring better with the COVID-19 pandemic than many other nations.
Ardern's focus on tackling gun violence and preventing online hate was just as powerful - she implemented a nationwide ban on semi-automatic weapons and assault rifles and introduced other gun controls within weeks of the Christchurch massacre.
No stranger to online hate herself, Ardern launched a global campaign to end online hate, but still had to deal with backlash from those who opposed her coronavirus-related measures.
During her time in office, she faced growing anger at home from those who opposed her government’s coronavirus-related restrictions; prompting her to abandon the nation’s zero-tolerance pandemic strategy as the number of cases began to rise. And a protest last year that began on parliament’s grounds ended with protesters hurling rocks at police and setting fires to tents and mattresses as they were forced to leave.
Before leaving office, she announced a wide-ranging Royal Commission of Inquiry into the effectiveness of the government’s response to COVID-19 and how it could better prepare for future pandemics. The report is expected next year.
Throughout her term, Ardern also sought to build strong connections with countries like Australia, Malaysia and Singapore, as well as to bring New Zealand onto the international stage.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese wrote: ‘Jacinda Ardern has shown the world how to lead with intellect and strength. She has demonstrated that empathy and insight are powerful leadership qualities. Jacinda has been a fierce advocate for New Zealand, an inspiration to so many and a great friend to me.’
Her fiancé, Clarke Gayford, was also present during her resignation announcement.
‘To Neve: mum is looking forward to being there when you start school this year. And to Clarke – let’s finally get married.’
Currently, attention turns to the contenders for the role of Labour’s new leader, with speculation over who will be chosen. There is little doubt that, whoever takes the helm, will face tough challenges in the months and years ahead, not just in New Zealand, but also in a world still struggling with the effects of COVID-19 and an international cost of living crisis.
Labour will select their new leader shortly – if everyone is in agreement, the newly chosen leader will then be sworn in and Ardern will step down.
The general election in New Zealand will still be held on October 14.
No matter how you feel about Ardern’s politics, her commitment to kindness and unity in the face of tragedy should be recognised and celebrated. We here at the SDC congratulate Jacinda Ardern for all her accomplishments during her six years in office, and we wish her success in all future endeavours. Maybe she should come for a holiday Down Under?
You can watch her full speech below:
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