Jacinda Ardern resigns as New Zealand Prime Minister in emotional press conference

Jacinda Ardern has resigned as New Zealand Prime Minister during an emotional press conference.

Ms Ardern choked back tears on Thursday as she said she did not have the energy to seek re-election.

“I know what this job takes. And I know that I no longer have enough in the tank to do it justice,” she said.

Ms Ardern said she would finish up in the job on February 7.

“I am human. Politicians are human. We give all we can for as long as we can — and then it’s time,” she said.

“And for me, it’s time.

“I would be doing a disservice to continue.”

Ms Ardern said the Labour party would elect a new leader by the weekend but Deputy Prime Minister Grant Robertson would not be a candidate.

The bombshell announcement came in Napier at the party’s year-starting caucus retreat.

Ms Ardern was expected to announce an election date — which she did, for October 14 — but shocked all-comers by declaring her exit from politics.

She said she left without regrets, offering a simple way she would like to be remembered.

“As someone who always tried to be kind,” she said.

Ms Ardern also addressed her family; her fiance Clarke Gayford and four-year-old daughter Neve.

“Neve, mum is looking forward to being there when you start school this year,” she said.

“And to Clarke — let’s finally get married.”

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said Ms Ardern had shown the world “how to lead with intellect and strength”.

“Jacinda has been a fierce advocate for New Zealand, an inspiration to so many and a great friend to me.”

WA Premier Mark McGowan praised Ms Ardern’s empathy and “strong leadership” that guided New Zealand through the COVID-19 pandemic and the Christchurch mosque shootings.

“Her legacy as Prime Minister is sure to be one of hope, leadership and inclusion,” he said.

“I’d like to thank Prime Minister Ardern, particularly on behalf of the many New Zealanders who call Western Australia home, for her service on the world stage.”

Mr McGown had met Ms Ardern on one occasion, during a national cabinet meeting during the COVID pandemic.

“Frankly she was terrific,” Mr McGowan said on Thursday.

“She was humble, knowledgeable, understated. Cooperative, sensible, reasonable. She was just fantastic.

“And you’ve got to think about it, she got to be the prime minister of New Zealand by the democratic process at the same time as Donald Trump got to be the president (of the US) and Boris Johnson got to be the prime minister (of the UK) and (Jair Bolsonaro ) got to be the prime minister of Brazil.

“So in a world full of people like Boris, Donald and Mr Bolsonaro, I think Jacinda Ardern was a shining light.

”Treasurer Jim Chalmers said Ms Ardern was “one of a kind” who provided “an incredible source of strength at home in New Zealand, and a source of remarkable inspiration around the world”.

“Jacinda Ardern is more than a friend to Australia — she’s more like a sister… you didn’t have to know her personally to feel like you knew Jacinda Ardern,” Dr Chalmers said.

“Jacinda Ardern gave a small country a very big voice. Jacinda Ardern set a new standard and set a new example for the rest of us, who aspire to lead like she did, with that best combination of strength and authenticity, as well as empathy and compassion and warmth and kindness.

“Authenticity is Jacinda Ardern’s superpower. We saw that in spades… we’ll be sad to see her leave the New Zealand prime ministership.”

Former South Australian premier Mike Rann was one of the first political figures to react to the news, saying Ms Ardern showed the world that a small country “could be a leader internationally”.

— With AAP