Former Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, who led New Zealand as Prime Minister for five and a half years and resigned in February, has also resigned as a member of parliament and retired from politics.
Jacinda Ardern suddenly announced her resignation in January this year, just before the general election in October, saying she had "no energy left." Since there are less than six months before the general election, there is a period when by-elections are not held and a general election is to be waited for, so she retired before that period began.
A moving farewell speech
Ardern delivered a memorable farewell speech in Parliament.
It's okay to be anxious, sensitive, kind, and emotional. It's okay to be a mother, or not, ex-Mormon, or not. It's okay to be a nerd, a crybaby. You can lead a country as you are. Just like I did.
Ardern was first elected to Parliament at the age of 28, and in 2017, at the age of 37, she became the youngest Prime Minister in New Zealand's political history and the third woman to hold the position.
During his term, he faced several major crises, including the Christchurch mosque attack that killed 51 people, the White Island eruption and the spread of COVID-19.
I was always in the midst of people's grief and trauma. The events and the expressions on people's faces at those times are deeply engraved in my heart and will never fade.
In her farewell speech, Ardern described herself as a "crybaby, a wimp" and a "worrier".
I told myself that I couldn't be a prime minister if I was too anxious, but no, I haven't changed. I leave this place feeling as timid, as prone to negativity, as unable to eat before a leadership debate that I hate. But now I can say it clearly: That's okay, and I can stay here.
Becoming a mother while in office
Ardern also recalled how she found out she was pregnant shortly after taking office.
Ardern and her partner Clarke Gayford had been undergoing fertility treatment but had been unable to conceive for a long time.
Despite the lack of success with fertility treatments, she was worried that taking on the role of prime minister would mean a life without children. But to her surprise, she found out she was pregnant about two months after becoming prime minister.
She also became the second world leader to take parental leave while in office, and later attracted global attention by attending the United Nations General Assembly with her child.
Ardern, who said that child poverty, inequality and climate change were the reasons she entered politics, also touched on environmental issues in her speech.
Please don't bring politics into the issue of climate change. We need to take every possible action to reduce carbon emissions.
He made a strong appeal.
Towards a new stage
Earlier this month, Ardern announced that she would join the board of directors of the Earthshot Prize, which is run by the Royal Foundation of the United Kingdom. The Earthshot Prize was launched in 2020 and is given to individuals or organizations that are making significant contributions to environmental issues.
Prince William of the United Kingdom, who established the award,
"I'm honored to have Jacinda join the Earthshot Prize team. Her long history of work on sustainability and environmental issues, as well as her experience as Prime Minister of New Zealand, will bring a breath of fresh air to our team. Jacinda was the first person I consulted with before the Prize was even established, and her advice was one of the reasons for the Prize's rapid success. I'm so grateful that she chose us for this next stage in her career."
Ardern also commented:
I am so excited and humbled to be a part of this Earthshot. Since its inception, the Prize has been a beacon of hope and a catalyst for the innovation we need. I believe that if the world can come together to invest, support and accelerate these problems, they will be solved.
Jacinda Ardern's skills have attracted attention from around the world during the COVID-19 pandemic. Her future activities are likely to attract attention as well.
