What's happened
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has announced her resignation and will step down as New Zealand's leader by early February.
Why it matters
Ardern's resignation is significant as it marks the end of her tenure as the country's leader and will require the ruling Labour Party to find a new leader. This development comes as support for the party has fallen in the polls and the country is expected to face economic challenges in the upcoming general election.
What the papers say
The Telegraph describes Ardern's resignation as a shock and highlights that the Labour Party is now searching for a new leader. Reuters emphasizes that Ardern's popularity has waned domestically, leading to a decline in support for the Labour Party. The article also mentions various controversies surrounding the party's policies. Another Reuters article mentions the criticism Ardern faced over her handling of the Delta outbreak and provides potential candidates who could become the next prime minister.
How we got here
Jacinda Ardern's resignation comes as her popularity has declined domestically, with the Labour Party's support falling in the polls. The party has faced criticism for its policies on COVID-19, water infrastructure, methane emissions, and co-governance with Maori. Additionally, Ardern faced criticism for the handling of the Delta outbreak.
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Jacinda Kate Laurell Ardern is a New Zealand politician who has served as the 40th prime minister of New Zealand and leader of the Labour Party since 2017.
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Christopher John Hipkins is a New Zealand politician and member of the Labour Party. He has served as the Member of Parliament for Remutaka since 2008.
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New Zealand is an island country in the southwestern Pacific Ocean. It comprises two main landmasses—the North Island and the South Island —and around 600 smaller islands, covering a total area of 268,021 square kilometres.
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Nanaia Cybelle Mahuta is a New Zealand politician who is the Member of Parliament for Hauraki-Waikato and serving the Minister for Māori Development and Minister of Local Government in the Sixth Labour Government since 2017.