For many global admirers of Jacinda Ardern, the announcement that she would step down as New Zealand prime minister months out from an election came as a shock and a disappointment. When Ardern became prime minister in 2017, she was the world’s youngest-ever female head of government (she has since been overtaken by others, including Finland’s Sanna Marin).

She was a one of the few female leaders to give birth while in office. (The other most notable example was Benazir Bhutto.)

Jacinda Ardern is one of few national leaders who have given birth while in office.Credit:Fiona Goodall

And she promised a new era of positive politics, focused on national economic wellbeing and climate action.

The Labour government delivered on many key promises, and Ardern was at the fore of these policy victories.

No one will forget her response to the Christchurch massacre and how she called for action while also embracing a nation in pain.

But this as not enough to save her from growing voter dissatisfaction at home – over the costs of protracted COVID isolation policies, rising consumer prices and instances of teenage ram raids.

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern hugs a mosque-goer at the Kilbirnie Mosque in Wellington in 2019 following the Christchurch massacre. Her response to the attack was lauded around the world. Credit:Hagen Hopkins

Many New Zealand voters had had enough, and indicated a desire for change. For many local observers, Ardern’s announcement was simply hastening the inevitable – come October, a change of prime minister was already on the cards.

But Ardern’s early departure is notable for several other reasons.

QOSHE - Ardern’s exit hastens the inevitable, but her exhaustion is distinctly gendered - Rosalind Dixon
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Ardern’s exit hastens the inevitable, but her exhaustion is distinctly gendered

5 10
19.01.2023

For many global admirers of Jacinda Ardern, the announcement that she would step down as New Zealand prime minister months out from an election came as a shock and a disappointment. When Ardern became prime minister in 2017, she was the world’s youngest-ever female head of government (she has since been overtaken by others, including Finland’s Sanna Marin).

She was a one of the few female leaders to give birth........

© The Sydney Morning Herald


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