Jacinda Ardern did things her own way—including her candid resignation as New Zealand prime minister

(Credit: Hagen Hopkins—Getty Images)

Good morning, Broadsheet readers! Journalist Maria Ressa is cleared of tax evasion charges, New York Gov. Kathy Hochul faces a political defeat, and Jacinda Ardern decides it's time to step aside. Have a thoughtful Thursday.

- Time to go. From the start of Jacinda Ardern's tenure as New Zealand prime minister, she's done things her own way. The Labour politician became the world's youngest female head of government in 2017. She welcomed her first child while in office in 2018 and brought her baby to the floor of the UN general assembly. She remained a straight talker, speaking to her constituents like a real person and not a scripted politician.

So while Ardern's announcement yesterday that she plans to resign as New Zealand's prime minister was surprising, the way she shared the news wasn't. "I know what this job takes. And I know that I no longer have enough in the tank to do it justice," the 42-year-old said. "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."

WELLINGTON, NEW ZEALAND - MARCH 01: Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern speaks to media during a post cabinet press conference at Parliament on March 01, 2021 in Wellington, New Zealand. Auckland is currently in level 3 lockdown while the rest of New Zealand is subject to level 2 restrictions following the discovery of a new mystery COVID-19 case discovered in Auckland. Under Alert Level 3, people in Auckland are not permitted to leave their homes unless for essential reasons. Social gatherings are not permitted and weddings and funerals are capped at 10 people. Under Alert Level 2 people are still able to attend work and school but masks must be worn on public transport and there are restrictions on public gatherings. (Photo by Hagen Hopkins/Getty Images)

Ardern's burnout is understandable after her past five years. In 2019, she responded to the massacre of more than 50 people at two mosques in Christchurch. Then she shut down her country's borders and distinguished herself with one of the world's most successful responses to the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic.

She even responded creatively to less urgent challenges, like a recent hot-mic moment when she was caught calling an opposition lawmaker an "arrogant prick." The pair later teamed up to raise money for a prostate cancer charity.

The prime minister said she reflected on whether to continue on in her role during New Zealand's recent summer recess and ultimately concluded it was time to step aside, effective by Feb. 7. Her party is facing a tough reelection campaign, unlikely to result in the kind of cruise to victory Ardern oversaw two years ago.

Despite all her accomplishments, she hopes she'll be remembered most as "someone who always tried to be kind." "I hope I leave New Zealanders with a belief that you can be kind, but strong, empathetic but decisive, optimistic but focused," she said. "And that you can be your own kind of leader—one who knows when it’s time to go."

Emma Hinchliffe
emma.hinchliffe@fortune.com
@_emmahinchliffe

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