Jacinda Ardern says goodbye, Chris Hipkins is sworn in

Wellington: Jacinda Ardern gave an emotional farewell on her last day as Prime Minister on Tuesday, speaking of the kindness and empathy New Zealanders have shown her but saying she is ready to be a sister and a mother.

Days after she stunned the world by announcing she “no longer had the tank” to run the country and would be stepping down, the 42-year-old met at a gathering of politicians and Maori elders in the small town Ratana north of the US capital Wellington and was immediately surrounded by supporters looking for photos.

“Thank you from the bottom of my heart for the greatest privilege of my life,” Ardern told the gathering.

She will be replaced by new Labor Party leader Chris Hipkins on Wednesday.

Before Hipkins becomes prime minister, Ardern will submit her resignation to King Charles’ representative in New Zealand, Governor-General Cindy Kiro. Kiro will then nominate Hipkins for the role and he will be sworn in.

Ardern, along with Hipkins and opposition politicians, made an annual visit to Ratana, where a week-long celebration of the birth of Maori prophet Tahupotiki Wiremu Ratana is held.

She wore a black dress and her shoulders were covered with a traditional Maori cloak called a korowai. She led members of her group onto the church grounds while a marching band played. In the speeches that followed and accompanying songs and dances, the elders spoke of Ardern with humor and warmth.

“Thank you for teaching us to love quickly,” an elder said to Ardern.