NEW ZEALAND: People were "the joy of the job", according to Jacinda Ardern, who made her final public appearance as New Zealand's prime minister on Tuesday.
Globally left-leaning Ardern stunned the nation on Thursday when she announced her resignation after more than five years as leader, claiming she was out of gas. Chris Hipkins will be sworn in as prime minister on Wednesday after receiving a unanimous vote from Labor Party legislators on Sunday to take over that post.
Ardern's final act as leader was to attend the ceremony with Hipkins and other MPs at the Ratana meeting ground, the center of an indigenous Māori religious movement.
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According to Ardern, she has known Hipkins for nearly 20 years and spent two hours with him on the way to the meeting place. She claimed that her only concrete piece of advice was, "You do you."
"It's up to her now. According to Ardern, she must carve her niche and become her own brand of leader. In fact, I don't really have any advice to give. I can share knowledge and experience, but it is for him." "right now
Ardern also addressed the wider debate that has developed since her announcement about vicious and misleading attacks against her on social media, which she said did not affect her decision to resign.
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Even though some comments were made after my departure, Ardern said, "I would hate for anyone to see my departure as a negative comment on New Zealand." "Working here, I have encountered such love, compassion, empathy and kindness. It has largely been my experience."
Hipkins told the media that the change in leadership was "sour-sweet". While it is well known that Jacinda is a close friend of mine, I am obviously incredibly honored to have taken on this role."
Ardern was greeted with hugs and songs when she arrived at the venue. She promised those in attendance that when she was done, she would love and care for New Zealand and its people even more than when she started.
Ardern said, "I have never done this work alone." "With these wonderful servants of New Zealanders, I did it. I go with the knowledge that you are in excellent hands.
Ardern intends to continue serving as a Member of Parliament until April to prevent a special election from being called before the country's general election in October. She claimed that she was prepared for her new, relatively unusual position.
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Ardern told the media, "I am prepared to do a lot." I am ready to work as a backbench MP. I am ready to be a mother and a sister.