‘An inspiring leader’: world reacts to Jacinda Ardern’s resignation as New Zealand PM

The US president, together with the prime ministers of Canada and Australia, have paid tribute to their New Zealand counterpart, who shocked the world by announcing she would be resigning as her country’s leader.

Joe Biden applauded Ardern’s “stewardship in advancing a free and open Indo-Pacific” and credited her leadership for making the US-New Zealand partnership “stronger than ever”.

Ardern is “a forward-looking, global leader who has inspired millions around the world”, vice-president Kamala Harris added.

Justin Trudeau said the 42-year-old prime minister’s leadership had made an “immeasurable” difference on the world stage, as Anthony Albanese expressed his admiration for Ardern’s “intellect and strength”.

“Thank you for your partnership and your friendship – and for your empathic, compassionate, strong, and steady leadership over these past several years,” the Canadian premier tweeted.

Albanese said Ardern had been a “fierce advocate for New Zealand” and had “shown the world how to lead with intellect and strength … She has demonstrated that empathy and insight are powerful leadership qualities.”

The former Australian premier Kevin Rudd also praised Ardern’s record, saying she “rewrote the rulebook for how world leaders are supposed to look and act” and had provided “a masterclass in international public diplomacy”.

Roberta Metsola, the president of the European parliament, said Ardern had “led New Zealand with grace and dignity under extraordinary pressure in extraordinary times”, adding that she was “a friend to Europe who has been a trailblazing example – to young women in particular – showing how politics can be a force for positive change”.

Dutch prime minister Mark Rutte described Ardern as a “formidable leader” and an example to all.

“I believe that she is a formidable leader, in New Zealand, but also in the region, and in the UN. And she really is an example to us,” he said.

Former US secretary of state Hillary Clinton said Arden would be remembered “for guiding her country with strength, compassion, and grace through multiple historic crises, doubtless saving countless lives”.

“She’s shown the world a new model of powerful leadership. A true stateswoman,” she added.

Ardern began her political career as a researcher in the office of the former New Zealand prime minister Helen Clark.

On Thursday, Clark said she was deeply saddened by the news of her resignation. “Jacinda has done an amazing job leading NZ & always brought humanity, empathy, & intelligence to the job. Much to be said, but for now – just thank you.”

Maria Shriver, the American journalist and former first lady of California, described Ardern as “an inspiring leader”, saying she had to “hand it to her for her honesty though. This makes me sad and it shows what a drain leading can be.”

The New Zealand actor Sam Neill described Ardern as a “great leader” in a Twitter post. “I am not surprised nor do I blame her,” he said. “Her treatment, the pile-on, in the last few months has been disgraceful and embarrassing. All the bullies, the misogynists, the aggrieved. She deserved so much better.”

Ardern’s government has been sliding steadily in the polls over the past year amid soaring inflation, a looming recession and a resurgent conservative opposition.

The opposition National leader, Christopher Luxon, said Ardern had “made a significant contribution to New Zealand, in what is a difficult and demanding job” and called her a “strong ambassador for New Zealand on the world stage”.

The leader of New Zealand’s libertarian-right Act party, said Ardern was a “well-meaning person” whose “idealism collided hard with reality”.

Grant Robertson, New Zealand’s deputy prime minister, said: “We’re extremely proud of what Jacinda has done for New Zealand and what as a party we’ve been able to achieve, and also a sense that we want to carry on as well.”

Ardern became the world’s youngest female head of government when she was elected prime minister in 2017 at 37. She was also the second prime minister in the world to give birth while in office, becoming a global icon for women in leadership.

The Indian congressman Jairam Ramesh said Indian politics needed more leaders like Ardern, who “go when people ask why [are they] going, instead of why aren’t they”.

Ardern – who steered the country through natural disasters, the Covid pandemic and its worst terrorist attack – said on Thursday she no longer had “enough in the tank” to do the job. “It’s time … I’d be doing a disservice to New Zealand if I continued,” she told her party’s annual caucus meeting.

Farid Ahmed, a survivor of the 2019 Christchurch terrorist attack that killed 51 people – including his wife – and injured 40, said Ardern’s “universal call for human unity with compassion made me cry with joy then, and it makes me cry now”.

The prime minister’s “kindness, wisdom and efforts for a peaceful world have been a remarkable example for world leaders,” Ahmed said. “I understand that she needs rest, and I wish her all the best in her life.”

Popstar Pink also gave a gushing tribute over social media.

“Prime minister Jacinda Ardern there will never be another like you. I wish there were,” she tweeted. “You have my admiration, my respect, my well wishes for you+your beautiful family. I have watched you shine uniquely+bravely from afar. Thank you 4showing the rest of the world what’s possible.”

Ardern’s term as prime minister will conclude no later than 7 February but she will continue as an MP until the election this year.

Agence France-Presse contributed to this report.