The popularity of Ardern’s Labor government has declined in recent months. (file)
Wellington:
New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said Tuesday she was grateful for her time in office, insisting that a constant barrage of online abuse was not the reason for her shock resignation.
The 42-year-old said last week he did not have “enough in the tank” after five years of turmoil during which he steered the country through natural disasters, its worst terror attack and the Covid-19 pandemic.
Her resignation, less than three years after an emphatic election victory, has ignited a national debate about the controversy surrounding women leaders, especially on social media.
Chris Hipkins, who will take over as prime minister, has said that Ardern experienced “absolutely appalling” abuse while leading the country.
Ardern, however, said she would not describe it that way.
During his last public appearance as prime minister, visiting the Māori settlement of Ratana in the North Island, he said he would be “disgusted” to be seen as “a negative comment on New Zealand”.
“I feel grateful to have had this wonderful role for so many years,” she told reporters from the birthplace of one of the country’s most influential indigenous political movements.
The popularity of Ardern’s Labor government has plummeted in recent months, hampered by a crippling recession and a resurgent Conservative opposition.
Hipkins will be sworn in as prime minister on Wednesday, saying it was “bitter” to replace his friend of 20 years.
“I’m really honored to take on this role, but Jacinda is also a very good friend of mine,” he told reporters on Tuesday.
Hipkins, 44, admitted that “there were moments when it sunk in, and moments when it just didn’t feel real”.
Ardern said she would now step back from domestic politics, and offered some advice for Hipkins.
“Probably the most important advice I ever gave him was ‘do you’,” she said.
“It’s up to him to carve out his own space and be a leader of his own kind.”
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
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