‘Relentless positivity’: Jacinda Ardern's legacy and crisis in New Zealand
Jacinda Ardern: A fresh-faced Ardern was elected prime minister in 2017, and in a tumultuous first term faced New Zealand's worst terror attack, a deadly volcanic eruption, and the Covid-19 pandemic.
Jacinda Ardern promised "relentless positivity" as New Zealand's prime minister, but in announcing her shock resignation on Thursday admitted the unrelenting demands of the job had finally worn her down.
A fresh-faced Ardern was elected prime minister in 2017, and in a tumultuous first term faced New Zealand's worst terror attack, a deadly volcanic eruption, and the Covid-19 pandemic.
Just 37 years old at the time, she became the country's youngest prime minister since 1856 and a global icon for progressive politics.
Ardern won a landslide second term in 2020, but her popularity has been on the slide as she battles declining trust in government, a deteriorating economic situation, and a resurgent conservative opposition.
The stress has been evident in recent months -- Ardern showing a rare lapse of poise when she was unwittingly caught on microphone calling an opposition politician an "arrogant prick".
"This has been the most fulfilling five and a half years of my life. But it has also had its challenges," Ardern, 42, said on Thursday.
"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."
{{/usCountry}}"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."
{{/usCountry}}She had been in office barely 18 months when a white supremacist gunman opened fire in two Christchurch mosques during Friday prayers, killing 51 Muslim worshippers and wounding another 40.
{{/usCountry}}She had been in office barely 18 months when a white supremacist gunman opened fire in two Christchurch mosques during Friday prayers, killing 51 Muslim worshippers and wounding another 40.
{{/usCountry}}Her deft and compassionate response to the rampage of hate defined the charismatic centre-left leader's image around the world.
{{/usCountry}}Her deft and compassionate response to the rampage of hate defined the charismatic centre-left leader's image around the world.
{{/usCountry}}Read more: Gita Gopinath's message on world economy from Davos: ‘Tough year ahead, but...’
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{{/usCountry}}When she donned a headscarf and comforted victims' families after the shooting, it resonated globally.
{{/usCountry}}When she donned a headscarf and comforted victims' families after the shooting, it resonated globally.
{{/usCountry}}She would later describe it as a spontaneous gesture of respect to the Muslim community.
{{/usCountry}}She would later describe it as a spontaneous gesture of respect to the Muslim community.
{{/usCountry}}Ardern also won plaudits for decisive policy action, including swiftly enacted gun law reforms and a push to force social media giants to address online hate speech.
The New Zealand public emphatically backed her performance, giving her a second three-year term in October 2020.
Ardern's campaign pitch focused heavily on her government's success in containing the coronavirus.
Life within New Zealand has largely returned to normal after a series of strict lockdowns.
