NZ PM resigns, will stand down Feb 7

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said Thursday she is stepping down as New Zealand's leader and will not contest this year’s general elections.

Ardern told reporters in Napier that Feb. 7 will be her last day in office. Jacinda Ardern, New Zealand Prime Minister said “I am not leaving because I believe we can’t win the election, but because I believe we can and will, and we need a fresh set of shoulders for that challenge.

I know there will be much discussion in the aftermath of this decision as to what the so-called ‘real’ reason was. I can tell you, that what I am sharing today is it. The only interesting angle that 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.”

Ardern had faced a tough election campaign this year. Her liberal Labour Party won reelection two years ago in a landslide of historic proportions.