Ardern will not be seeking reelection in October.

In a surprise announcement this morning, New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announced that she would be resigning from her position in February, ahead of a new Prime Minister’s swearing in. She also clarified that she does not intend to seek reelection to the position this October.

“The decision was my own,” Ardern said. “Leading a country is the most privileged job anyone could ever have, but also the most challenging. You cannot and should not do the job unless you have a full tank, plus a bit in reserve for those unplanned and unexpected challenges.”

“I no longer have enough in the tank to do the job justice,” she added.

Ardern was originally elected to the position in 2017, then reelected in 2020. Ardern spearheaded the country’s efforts to close off its borders and prevent the proliferation of COVID-19 at the height of the pandemic.

“The only interesting angle that you will find is that after going on six years of some big challenges, I am human. Politicians are human,” she said. “We give all that we can for as long as we can, and then it’s time. And for me, it’s time.”

Ardern also highlighted achievements made during her tenure, including legislation on climate change and child poverty. “I wouldn’t want this last five and a half years to simply be about the challenges. For me, it’s also been about the progress,” she said.