Jacinda resigns - 25th January 2023

New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has stunned the country by announcing her resignation. She 'had nothing left in the tank'.

When elected in 2017, at the age of 37, she became the world’s youngest female head of government. As prime minister, Ardern won international recognition, for her handling of the county’s worst ever terrorist attack, which targeted Muslim worshippers, and as only the second woman to give birth in office.

In the same year, she was praised for her decisive leadership following the fatal White Island volcano eruption. Then, as the world was hit by Covid, she chose to lock down the country, which succeeded in restricting the health impacts on the population.

Appearing on the covers of British Vogue and Time magazine, Ardern’s popularity perhaps grew stronger abroad than it was at home. And since last year, her government’s been steadily sliding in the polls due to soaring inflation, a looming recession and a conservative opposition regaining popularity.

Ardern’s resignation’s been met with varied reactions from voters. Those who are disappointed think highly of her achievements in government.

Ingrid: "I think she was an excellent leader, and I'm devastated that she's going, she's resigning."

Lia Correa: "I think she'll leave behind a really good legacy, cause like, she's a woman prime minister who kicked ass. She was awesome. She did everything she could during the pandemic. Kept a lot of people safe. Yeah, I think she's gonna have a great legacy."

Meanwhile, others feel she’ll be remembered more abroad, and some are celebrating her departure.

Craig: "I think her legacy internationally will be good. Locally, her reputation is gone. "

Business Owner: "As a business owner, this is a wonderful day. The restrictions and the extra compliance and extra tax of business that has happened, and especially staffing levels, with almost no immigrants, has left us all short, all stressed out, all mentally ill from not being able to run our businesses properly. So I say this is the most wonderful day for New Zealand."

Ardern will be replaced by the Labour Party’s Chris Hipkins, and the country elects its next government in October.