Jacinda Ardern’s next job? Outgoing New Zealand PM addresses rumours she’s bound for a plum job at the United Nations after shock resignation
- Ms Ardern announced her resignation on Thursday
- She denied she was going for a role in United Nations
- Ms Ardern said she was excited to spend time with family
Jacinda Ardern has shut down rumours she’ll be heading to a plum role at the United Nations after announcing her shock resignation as the Prime Minister of New Zealand.
Ms Ardern announced on Thursday in an emotional press conference that she would be stepping down on February 7, after five-and-a-half years in the top job.
When asked by a reporter whether she would take up a role at the UN, Ms Ardern said she currently didn’t have any other career aspirations.
‘This has been my entire focus as you can see by the fact you’ve not been aware of this (my resignation), so that (the UN) has not been my focus,’ she said.
Jacinda Ardern has shut down rumours she was considering a career change to the United Nations after announcing her shock resignation
‘My focus has been this decision, supporting the Labor team through this next stage.
‘Beyond that, I have no plans other than spending a bit of time with my family and seeing what’s next.’
She said working for the UN had ‘never’ been her ambition.
Sky News anchor Ashleigh Gillon noted jobs offers would ‘surely be coming thick and fast’ for the outgoing prime minister.
Ms Ardern had attracted worldwide attention when she brought her then four-month-old baby Neve into the UN in September, 2018.
Ms Ardern fought back tears when she made the announcement on Thursday to a horde of media unaware she was stepping down.
‘I know what this job takes. And I know that I no longer have enough in the tank to do it justice,’ she said.
Ms Ardern said she was looking forward to spending more time with her family
Ms Ardern is seen embracing her fiancé Clarke Gayford after announcing she’d be stepping down
Ms Ardern had attracted worldwide attention when she brought her then four-month-old baby Neve into the UN in September, 2018
‘I would be doing a disservice to continue.’
Ms Ardern said the Labour party would elect a new leader by the weekend but Deputy Prime Minister Grant Robertson would not be a candidate.
She was expected to announce an election date – which she did, for October 14 – but shocked all-comers by declaring her exit from politics.
She said she left without regrets, offering a simple way she would like to be remembered.
‘As someone who always tried to be kind,’ she said.
Ms Ardern also addressed her family; her fiancé Clarke Gayford and four-year-old daughter Neve.
‘Neve, mum is looking forward to being there when you start school this year,’ she said.
Ms Ardern is seen hugging fellow MPs after announcing she would be stepping down from the top job
‘And to Clarke – let’s finally get married.’
Ms Ardern resigns at just 42 after becoming leader just over five years ago on October 26, 2017, and was New Zealand’s youngest-ever PM, and before that youngest sitting MP in 2008, aged 28.
She insisted her party trailing in the polls the the rival National Party ahead of the upcoming election had nothing to do with her decision to step down.
‘I am not leaving because I believe we can’t win the election but because I believe we can and will,’ she said.
‘But we need a fresh set of shoulders for the challenges of both this year and the next three.’
Ms Ardern faced unrelenting criticism for implementing some of the harshest Covid restriction in the world including lockdowns where New Zealanders couldn’t even buy takeaway food and a more than two-year border closure.
But she denied the constant attacks, which continued last year as the economy faltered and cost of living rose, played a role in her decision.
‘I’m not leaving because it’s hard… 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,’ she said.
More to come
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