Recently, New Zealand PM Jacinda Arden made the shocking announcement of stepping down as the country’s leader. She also announced not going for a re-election in the upcoming election cycle the country has braced itself for. “I know what this job takes, and I know that I no longer have enough in the tank to do it justice. It is that simple,” the New Zealand PM announced on Facebook. In her elaborate post, she mentioned that the weight of the decisions she took during her years as PM have been burdening her.


“Amongst an agenda focused on housing, child poverty and climate change, we encountered a major biosecurity incursion, a domestic terror event, a major natural disaster, a global pandemic and an economic crisis. The decisions that had to be made have been continual, and they have been weighty,” she said, adding, that as a PM, she has responsibility of knowing that she is not the right person to lead anymore.

Jacinda became the world’s youngest female country leader back in 2017 when she was appointed as the New Zealand President at an age of 37.

A much-respected figure globally, things weren’t going well for her in her own country. Back in 2022, her popularity took an all-time low due to her management of COVID and inflation.

The Facts of the Matter

As the new year unfolds, shocking political decisions have started surfacing. Days after the invasion of the Brazilian Congress, in New Zealand, PM Jacinda Arden recently made a shocking announcement. On Thursday, the 42-year-old announced stepping down from the position of the country’s leader, and also added that she won’t be going for a re-election.

In a rather emotional speech, Arden called for the next general election to be held on October 14, with a new leader from the New Zealand Labour Party.

Next Election in October 2023

“Early announcements allow for planning and preparation by the Electoral Commission, agencies, and political parties, and is, I believe, best practice. That’s why in 2020 we announced at the beginning of election year, and I do so again today. The General Election for 2023 will be held on Saturday the 14th of October,” the first part of her announcement read.

Stepping Down as PM

“This summer, I had hoped to find a way to prepare for not just another year, but another term – because that is what this year requires. I have not been able to do that. And so today, I am announcing that I will not be seeking re-election and that my term as Prime Minister will conclude no later than the 7th of February,” Jacinda’s announcement read.

The Challenges NZ PM Jacinda Encountered

Laying down the agenda of her party, including housing, child poverty and climate change, Jacinda added that her country encountered other challenges including “biosecurity incursion, a domestic terror event, a major natural disaster, a global pandemic and an economic crisis” adding how the “decisions that had to be made have been continual, and they have been weighty”.

Giving the age-old adage of “great powers coming with great responsibilities”, she added that she has he responsibility to know when you are the right person to lead, and also, when you are not.”

I know what this job takes, and I know that I no longer have enough in the tank to do it justice. It is that simple. But I absolutely believe and know, there are others around me who do,” she confirmed.

Jacinda’s Popularity had Been Tanking

The youngest ever leader in the world when reelected, she was known as the stark contrast of US President Donald Trump and UK PM Boris Johnson for her progressive ways. In 2020, she held a landslide victory, thanks to the country’s lowest COVID-19 death rate and the pandemic management. However, her popularity had been dropping since 2021 and her party trailed behind the centre-right National party.