New Zealand’s former “First Bloke” has issued a touching tribute to Jacinda Ardern, praising her “superhuman efforts” over the past five years as she departs as leader.
The former Prime Minister made the announcement last week during a press conference, bringing her five-year leadership to an end after being elected to the top job in 2017.
Multiple leaders and prominent figures have since issued their support for the former Prime Minister ahead of her last day on Wednesday, with her fiance Clarke Gayford issuing a touching tribute.
Mr Gayford said he has seen the “most incredible outpouring of thanks and respect” he had ever witnessed since his partner resigned.
In the days since Ms Ardern announced her resignation, Mr Gayford has witnessed “spontaneous tears of strangers in airports” and staff inbox’s being full of “overwhelmingly positive messages”.
He also questioned whether New Zealand was becoming a “more inclusive” society despite discourse on “ugly places online” via a “certain type of public commentator”.
“There is a saying that nothing is harder than having true empathy for others, because empathy requires you to understand life from someone else’s perspective, to suspend your own ego, to walk in different shoes and see through another’s eyes,” Mr Gayford wrote.
“I’ve also learnt that in politics while it might be easier to take the sugar hit path of popularity through division and hate and avoiding unpopular but necessary decisions, there is a better much tougher way of governing in empathy that plants many quiet trees for us all to enjoy the shade of for lots of good years to come.
“I remain as always; in awe, in love, relieved, exhausted and so incredibly proud of Neve’s mums superhuman efforts.”
He ended his touching message: “First Bloke out”.
The post was accompanied with a touching photo of the couple in an embrace.
When Ms Ardern made the announcement, she said she understood what it took to be prime minister but she “no longer had enough in the tank” to do the job.
“It’s time,” she said.
“I am leaving because with such a privileged job comes a big responsibility. The responsibility to know when you are the right person to lead – and also when you’re not,” she said.
“I know when I have enough left in the tank to do it justice.
“I am human. We give as much as we can for as long as we can and then it’s time. And for me, it’s time.
“To Neve, mum is looking forward to being there when you start school next year. And to Clarke, let’s get married.”
Ms Ardern was a reluctant leader, stepping into the role of Labour leader just seven weeks out from the 2017 general election after Andrew Little stepped down.
She was the top choice for the role, becoming a clear favourite among voters, despite being just 37.
Before being elected to the top office she learned she was pregnant with her first child, sparking questions on how she would be able to lead the country with a newborn.
She gave birth to daughter Neve on June 21 in 2018 and returned to work in August that year after taking six weeks maternity leave.
During her first term, she made international headlines when she was the first female leader to bring an infant into the UN General Assembly.
Her time as prime minister has been marred with many disasters, including the 2019 mosque attacks, the White Island volcano disaster and the Covid pandemic.
The 42-year-old was planning to marry Mr Gayford in January last year but their plans were put on hold as the country battled its Omicron outbreak.
Ms Ardern will stay on as member for Mt Albert until April.