Jacinda Ardern has announced she will step down as Prime Minister and Leader of the Labour Party. Her resignation will take effect on the appointment of a new Prime Minister.
“Being Prime Minister has been the greatest honour of my life and I want to thank New Zealanders for the enormous privilege of leading the country for the last five and a half years,” Jacinda Ardern said.
“With holding such a privileged role comes responsibility, including the responsibility to know when you’re the right person to lead, and also when you’re not.
“I have given my absolute all to being Prime Minister but it has also taken a lot out of me. You cannot and should not do the job unless you have a full tank, plus a bit in reserve for those unplanned and unexpected challenges that inevitably come along.
“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.
Jacinda Ardern is also an inspiration to women in business. As a female leader in a male-dominated field, she has had to overcome many obstacles and challenges. Yet, she has proven time and time again that women can succeed at the highest levels of leadership, and she has been a trailblazer for women in business.
Ardern’s leadership serves as an example to women everywhere that they can achieve their goals and reach the top of their profession. She has shown that women can be strong and effective leaders, and that they have just as much to contribute to society as men. Her success as a female leader serves as a reminder that women should be encouraged and supported in their pursuit of leadership roles in business and other fields.
Furthermore, Ardern’s policies and actions have been directed to empower women in business and in the workforce. She has prioritised policies that promote equal pay, parental leave, and flexible working conditions to support women’s advancement and participation in the workforce. Her efforts to improve the lives of women in business and the workforce are an inspiration to all of us and an encouragement to create a more equal society.
Jacinda today ended her speech 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,”.
