The hatred and vitriol Jacinda Ardern endured 'would affect anybody'
Editorial: Ardern’s surprise start to election year (Subscriber)
"I think we’ll call it a day," an emotional Ms Ardern said as she closed the media conference in which she brought down the curtain on her five and a-half years as prime minister.
If Labour MPs, who vote on Sunday, do clearly elect a new leader, Ms Ardern will revert to being a backbencher on February 7.
“I have given my absolute all to being prime minister but it has also taken a lot out of me," she said.
“Having reflected over summer I know I no longer have that bit extra in the tank to do the job justice. It’s that simple."
There is no clear frontrunner to replace Ms Ardern as her heir presumptive, Finance Minister Grant Robertson, immediately ruled out a leadership bid.
It is understood some MPs are hoping to talk Mr Robertson around.
Should they not succeed, Police Minister Chris Hipkins, Housing Minister Dr Megan Woods and Transport Minister Michael Wood are likely contenders.
Before Ms Ardern’s rise to prominence, Dunedin-raised Mr Robertson had failed in a 2014 bid to become Labour’s leader and at the time said, having twice missed out, he would not contest for the role again.
He stuck to that pledge yesterday.
"I have every confidence that there are colleagues within the caucus who are both capable of doing the role, and have the desire to take it on," he said.
Ms Ardern became Labour’s leader shortly before the 2017 election, as her party was foundering in the political doldrums.
She spearheaded a remarkable turnaround in Labour’s fortunes and secured enough seats in the House to be able to govern with the support of New Zealand First and the Green Party.
Ms Ardern was soon faced with a host of troubles — a volcanic eruption, the Christchurch mosques terror attack and a global pandemic.
Ms Ardern won favourable reviews for her poise and calm in managing those crises, and became not only the dominant domestic political figure but also a significant player on the world political stage.
Ms Ardern then led Labour to a clear parliamentary majority in the 2020 election — something not previously done in the MMP era — and enjoyed record approval ratings and poll results as Labour began its second term.
However, ferocious sniping from people angry at Covid-19 restrictions and growing disquiet about reforms intended to increase the role of Maori in governance of natural assets chipped away at Ms Ardern and Labour’s seemingly impregnable position.
Some polls towards the end of last year suggested centre-right parties could win this year’s election, the date of which Ms Ardern confirmed yesterday would be October 14.
However, the outgoing prime minister struck a defiant note when it was suggested she was resigning due to Labour’s electoral prospects.
"I am not leaving because I believe we cannot win the next election, but because I believe we can and will."
Apart from her obvious achievements, Ms Ardern highlighted improved child poverty statistics, significant increases in welfare support and public housing, endeavours to mitigate climate change and the establishment of Matariki as a public holiday as initiatives of which she was proud.
"We’ve made it easier to access education and training while improving the pay and conditions of workers and we’ve worked hard to make progress on issues around our national identity ... and we’ve done that while responding to some of the biggest threats to the health and economic wellbeing of New Zealanders, arguably since World War 2."
Ms Ardern said that she expected there would be much discussion about what "the so-called ‘real’ reason" was for her sudden resignation
"The only interesting angle you will find is that after going on six years of some big challenges, that I am human.
"Politicians are human. We give all that we can, for as long as we can, and then it’s time.
"And for me, it’s time."
Of the MPs, only Ms Ardern’s tight inner circle, including Mr Robertson and Dr Woods — the election campaign chairwoman — plus chief of staff Raj Nahna and chief press secretary Andrew Campbell, were told before yesterday of her decision.
Most of the Cabinet were told yesterday morning and the rest of the caucus were told just before her public announcement.
Ms Ardern paid tribute to colleagues, friends and family for their care and assistance, as well as giving two personal messages to fiance Clarke Gayford and daughter Neve.
"To Neve, mum is looking forward to being there when you start school this year.
"And to Clarke, let’s finally get married."
