|
Post by Admin on Jan 19, 2023 17:52:50 GMT
WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) — New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, who became a global icon of the left and exemplified a new style of leadership, said Thursday that she would leave office. Just 37 when she became leader, Ardern was praised around the world for her handling of the nation’s worst-ever mass shooting and the early stages of the coronavirus pandemic. But she faced mounting political pressures at home and a level of vitriol from some that hadn’t been experienced by previous New Zealand leaders. Still, her announcement came as a shock throughout the nation of 5 million people. Fighting back tears, Ardern told reporters in Napier that Feb. 7 would be her last day as prime minister after five and a half years in office. “I know what this job takes, and I know that I no longer have enough in the tank to do it justice. It is that simple,” she said. Lawmakers in her Labour Party will vote for a new leader on Sunday. Ardern became an inspiration to women around the world after first winning the top job in 2017. She seemed to herald a new generation of leadership — she was on the verge of being a millennial, had spun some records as a part-time DJ, and wasn’t married like most politicians.
|
|
|
Post by Admin on Jan 20, 2023 1:17:21 GMT
|
|
|
Post by Admin on Jan 22, 2023 21:20:05 GMT
New Zealand's incoming prime minister has vowed to protect his family from what he called the "abhorrent" abuse that his predecessor, Jacinda Ardern, received while in office. Ms Ardern announced that she was quitting as the country's leader on Thursday, citing burnout. Threats against her became more frequent in recent years and included a man claiming he had the right to "shoot the prime minister" for treason and treachery in a YouTube video. Chris Hipkins, who was speaking on Sunday after MPs from his ruling Labour Party voted unanimously to endorse him, said a "small minority" of Kiwis were responsible for abusing Ms Ardern. He said that "it does not represent who we are as a country". Men had a responsibility to call out misogyny, he added. He said he realised that putting himself forward as leader meant that he was "public property" - but that his family were not, and he wanted his children to have a "typical Kiwi kid life". Data released in June showed that threats against Ms Ardern had almost tripled over three years, and local media reported that at least eight threats against her had entered the legal system - including the man who filmed the threatening YouTube video. Police also had to investigate after handwritten fliers vowing to "eradicate" Ms Ardern were delivered to several homes in January 2022. Radio New Zealand spoke to a former intelligence worker, Paul Buchanan, who said he believed Ms Ardern would need more ongoing security and protection than any former New Zealand prime minister. Mr Hipkins, 44, was New Zealand's Covid response minister and has extensive political experience. He is set to be sworn in as prime minister on Wednesday after Ms Ardern formally steps down. He received a standing ovation from his colleagues after they gave him their backing on Sunday, and shared a hug with Ms Ardern, whom he described as "my very good friend".
|
|