Jacinda Ardern’s bombshell resignation - January 19th 2023

What does this mean for New Zealand?

Ms Ardern has been New Zealand's prime minister since 2017, announced her resignation, with her concluding remark that she had 'no more in the tank'.

Ardern's resignation as New Zealand prime minister is a game changer for the 2023 election.

“I believe that leading a country is the most privileged job anyone could ever have, but also one of the more challenging,” Ms. Ardern said.

The support for Jacinda Ardern and NZ Labour sinks to lowest since 2017, the latest polls in 2022 shows.New Zealand parliament now has a majority of women in parliament.

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said Ms Ardern was a great friend and had "demonstrated that empathy and insight are powerful leadership qualities".

After five years as leader, as Labour grapples with the prospect of a recession stemming partly from its strict response to the Covid-19 pandemic.

If you’re reading this, then it means that New Zealander for democracy has been sacked by the party she helped to lead out of the wilderness!

This comes just one week after her surprise announcement that she would be stepping down as Prime Minister before 7th February.

Her position had already been weakened due to poor polling results and internal struggles within the party.

Under new leader Jacinda Ardern, the Labour Party no longer pretends it wants to govern this nation responsibly. It has openly stated that its top goal is not helping the average voter but instead trying to retain power by any means necessary.

It appears as if Ms. Arden wanted the job so badly that she would do anything to get it, even if it involved stepping outside of the normal bounds of electoral conduct.

Ms Ardern’s position was hurt due to her comment on Mr Seymour, leader of the right-wing libertarian ACT party, asked her to give an example of her "making a mistake, apologising for it properly, and fixing it".

Ms Ardern defended her Labour government's record before sitting down and quietly muttering: "Such an arrogant prick."

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern in her tenure has bested Judith Collins during a debate at Parliament, calling her a “Karen” who won’t be protected from such insults by hate speech law reforms.

Ardern disagreed with the statements Collins used against her.  "I also, as it happens, disagree with the member's statement on Twitter that somehow, it will become illegal to call someone a 'Karen'.

Jacinda Ardern offensive MP comment transcript sells for NZ$100,000

It will take time to do this though – perhaps forever if she doesn’t make significant changes. Her leadership won’t be easy either - people with deep connections in the labour movement have already begun agitating for someone else to succeed her.

Jacinda must make some major reforms to win back voters who have soured on Labour over the past year. But don’t expect too much change until October 14th 2023, when the next general election is.

A new Labour Party leader must be elected.

But what if she doesn’t feel ready to take on such responsibility? What if she wants to enjoy her personal life first?

Who will replace Ardern is not yet clear.

National at the start of early 2010s were on top of the country , with a popular leader, they had three election wins under their belt, then things fell apart. 

Ardern remarked :

“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,” Ardern said.