Jacinda Ardern resigning as NZ PM

A couple more thoughts..... I admire her for doing what she thinks is best for herself and her family. I hope this doesn't give fodder to the misogynists who think women are too emotional (or whatever), to hold such a high office.

I literally gasped out loud when I saw the headline when checked the news this morning.
I'm also shocked, but we don't often see such young leaders and I suppose realistically we can't expect them to keep doing such a demanding job endlessly.
At some point they are going to want to have a work/life balance as well.
I was also shocked to hear her say her daughter starts school this year and it reminded me that for her child's entire life she has been PM...and that's a lot to sacrifice.

I think she's been a great PM and also great role model for other leaders on how to handle difficult situations with compassion and dignity.
She'll be missed not only in NZ but we'll also miss her input and influence in international affairs.

It was nice while it lasted...I guess it'll back to some old white guy again now.

I was surprised to see it but wish her well. Honestly, it would be great if most politicians view leadership as a limited period of national service.

Yes, the news of her resignation is being received with a bit of shock over here, but it’s an announcement that is also being received with much joy in many quarters.

I think most people in NZ recognise that Jacinda has had to handle some pretty awful times - in particular the terrorist attacks at a couple of mosques in Christchurch, and of course the Covid pandemic. I doubt many could find fault with how she handled the mosque attacks, or even the early days of the pandemic, but there are a lot who have been critical of the government’s handling of it in the last 2 or so years.

As with everything else, people’s personal political philosophies determine what they think of a government and it’s Prime Minister.

Some people look at the pandemic, and say that Jacinda’s government did a great job in keeping the virus at bay long enough to ensure most people could get vaccinated before it took a big hold.

Others say that because of the funding provided to businesses to help cover wages and ensure an income for people in lockdown etc, other things in the country were allowed to deteriorate because the government funding usually spent on them was diverted.  They also point to the extreme lack of labour for seasonal jobs (such as fruit picking) because people were not allowed into the country, and that is continuing to affect many industries as the labour shortage continues.

So yes, some people will be really sorry to see her go, while others will be glad.  Just like political opinions everywhere.

However I don’t think many people will be glad to see her go because she’s a woman - our country doesn’t really think like that; we’ve had women leaders in all sorts of spheres and very few even bat an eyelid. Sure, there will be a few loudmouths who will proclaim she should be home looking after he family, but I think they will be be few and far between.

I really admired NZ for having a young, female PM. I often wish the US would have more younger people in politics, get the old views and stubborn curmudgens out, the new voices have strength. But every election, its the same ol, same ol. Some old white guy. I honestly wonder how JFK was elected so young!