Jacinda Ardern to spend more time with her family

 Although BBC has reported that there is growing disquiet about the economic situation in New Zealand, the prime minister's resignation announcement came as a surprise. Ms Ardern had previously expressed her determination to lead her Labour party into the next general election. John Hartevelt of RNZ reported on the media announcement:

Ardern carefully dispensed with what turned out to be the most overshadowed announcement of an election date ever. (It's 14 October, by the way.)

The mood of her address quickly shifted as she moved on to the second of her two "important announcements".

"Consideration of the date over the summer, and the impending election and new political term has also given me time for reflection."

The tone of this statement suggested something other than a policy reset was about to be announced.

"I believe that leading a country is the most privileged job anyone could ever have, but also one of the more challenging. You cannot, and should not do it unless you have a full tank plus a bit in reserve for those unexpected challenges.

"This summer, I had hoped to find a way to prepare for not just another year, but another term - because that is what this year requires. I have not been able to do that.

"And so today, I am announcing that I will not be seeking re-election and that my term as prime minister will conclude no later than the 7th of February."

[...]

Prior to informing her Cabinet and caucus colleagues, Ardern says she had shared her decision with only "a very, very small number" of people.

It's safe to assume her fiancé Clarke Gayford - who was in the room and walked arm-in-arm with her as she left it - had a say. Ardern addressed him during the press conference.

"To Clarke: Let's finally get married."

Their daughter, Neve, was apparently not in the loop, though. "Four-year-olds are chatty - couldn't take the risk," Ardern joked.

But there were special words reserved for her too.

"To Neve: Mum is looking forward to being there when you start school this year."

I read between the lines that now that the country has emerged from disaster, she was no longer regarded as indispensable by party and parliament and would struggle to see her agenda through. With a lively child at a critical age, she has clearly got her priorities right. She owes her nation and indeed the world nothing.