PM Jacinda Ardern announces her shock resignation at the Labour Party caucus retreat in Napier saying she 'no longer have that bit extra in the tank'. Video / Mark Mitchell
“Shocked” and “stunned” Bay of Plenty politicians and residents have paid tribute to Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern’s leadership after her announcement she will step down from the role next month.
Ardern choked back tears today as she announced she would stand down on February 7.
She said she had hopedto find the energy and heart to continue in the role over the summer, “but I have not been able to do that”.
“I know when I have enough left in the tank to do it justice. I would be doing a disservice to New Zealanders to continue.”
“This has been the most fulfilling five-and-a-half years of my life,” Ardern said.
Local Labour List MPs Jan Tinetti and Angie Warren-Clark could not immediately be reached for interviews, but posted messages on Facebook.
Tauranga-based Tinetti, who is Minister for Internal Affairs, Women, and Associate Minister of Education, said “no words can convey how I feel about this remarkable woman Jacinda Ardern”.
”Not only has she been the most incredible boss, but she has been a huge support to me in a personal capacity. I will never, ever forget the support and aroha she gave to me when I was diagnosed with breast cancer.
”Jacinda is a great leader, the hardest-working person I have ever met, but above all that, what will always stand out for me is that she is a kind, generous, fiercely loyal person of the utmost integrity.”
Associate Minister of Education Jan Tinetti speaks to media. Photo / NZME
Bay of Plenty electorate-based Warren-Clark said “what you see on TV is exactly what you get” with her friend.
“Jacinda runs our country, does a stand-up interview and then asks after my husband and our cats. She’s a legend...”
“The mark of a true leader is to lead with everything, and then when the tank is empty, walk away knowing you’ve left this place better.”
Speaking to media, East Coast MP and Minister of Justice Kiri Allan said Ardern had led the country through the “most incredible challenges” with grace, empathy and compassion.
“I am incredibly proud to have served as a minister in her Cabinet, and the imprint that she will have on Aotearoa, what she has given to us, will go down in history... she’s made that call and we love her.”
Asked if she would put herself forward for the leadership, Allan said the caucus would go through the official process and make decisions over the next few days.
“It’s time to take stock and have those discussions.”
Allan said Labour could “absolutely” still win the next election - which Ardern announced would be on October 14.
“We have a plan. Labour has an economic plan, it has a social plan - we’re in the throes of some of the most challenging times, and from the legacy that she’s left us all, I think we’re well-equipped to take the next steps.”
Bay of Plenty MP Todd Muller, of National, said he was “as stunned as the rest of the country” when the announcement was made.
”It’s an exceptionally tough job and she’s given it her all, and she needs to be acknowledged for that.”
Muller stepped down as leader of the National Party after 53 days in the role in 2020.
Bay of Plenty MP Todd Muller. Photo / Andrew Warner
Tauranga City Council commission chairwoman Anne Tolley, a former National Party MP, said she was “a bit shocked” by Ardern’s announcement.
“I think as prime minister, leading a country through a series of quite significant events, she’s been a great leader, and [it] doesn’t matter what your party-political affiliation is, you have to admire the way she has done that, and that would take its toll on anybody.
“She’s got an excellent reputation overseas, and she’s said she’s done and doesn’t have enough in the tank for another three-year term.”
Asked what it was like leaving central government, Tolley, who served as Education Minister from 2008 to 2011 and Children’s Minister from 2016 to 2017, said she had recognised when it was “time to go”, and that was what Ardern was saying.
Jacinda Ardern choked back tears as she revealed she was stepping down as prime minister. Photo / Warren Buckland
“The beauty of choosing your own time is you’ve thought it through and you’re prepared for it, and it’s something you want to do, as against something that’s forced on you at an election.
“You work it all through in your own head, you know what you’re stepping out of and you feel comfortable with it.”
Labour party member and Tauranga local Heidi Tidmarsh said it was “a sad day” and that she “can’t fault” Ardern.
Tidmarsh, who had two daughters aged 14 and 10, said Ardern showed them “anything’s possible, girls are boss”.
Labour member Heidi Tidmarsh, pictured with art she organised to be auctioned off for breast cancer awareness. Photo / NZME
Former Tauranga Labour Party candidate Anne Pankhurst said she was saddened by the news, but appreciated Ardern’s leadership through “an incredibly difficult time”.
She said Ardern was stepping down at a good time politically, as Labour would have plenty of time to find a successor before the October election. She had no opinion on who that might be.
Pāpāmoa resident Nicole Bishop said the PM had “a really tough innings”.
”She’s done nearly six years, and it has not been easy,” the 52-year-old said.
Ardern has said she was not resigning because she was worried about losing the election, and that she believed Labour would win, but Bishop was not convinced.
”I think she could have carried on, but I think she clearly doesn’t want to lose the election because Jacinda’s a winner and she always wants to win, [...] so I think she’s just thinking ahead and she’s just going, ‘Actually, we might lose the election’.
”But I don’t think it’s going to put the Labour party in any better position going forward.”
Asked who Ardern’s successor might be, Bishop said she had been speaking about this with her colleagues and none of them could name someone “good enough” for the job.
Bishop said it would be “a really interesting election”.
On Omanu Beach, local Mark Pennington said it was “time for a change”.
”She did pretty good, but there’s room for improvement now.”
Tauranga business owner Marack Henderson. Photo / Mead Norton
Tauranga business owner Marack Henderson was not a Labour supporter, but said Ardern had “done a great job in her time”, including leading the country through difficult times such as the 2019 Christchurch terror attack and the Covid-19 pandemic.
