00:00I'm entering now my sixth year in office, and for each of these years, I have given my absolute all.
00:08I believe that leading a country is the most privileged job anyone could ever have, but also one of the more challenging.
00:16You cannot and should not do it unless you have a full tank, plus a bit in reserve for those unexpected challenges.
00:25This summer, I had hoped to find a way to prepare not just for another year, but another term, because that is what this year requires.
00:37I have not been able to do that.
00:44And so today I'm announcing that I will not be seeking re-election.
00:48And then my term as Prime Minister will conclude no later than the 7th of February.
00:58This has been the most fulfilling five and a half years of my life, but it has also had its challenges.
01:06Amongst an agenda focused on housing, child poverty, and climate change, we encountered a major biosecurity incursion, a domestic terror event, a major natural disaster, a global pandemic, and an economic crisis.
01:26The decisions that have had to be made have been continual, and they have been waiting.
01:31But I am not leaving because it was hard.
01:36Had that been the case, I probably would have departed two months into the job.
01:41I am leaving because with such a privileged role comes responsibility.
01:48The responsibility to know when you are the right person to lead, and also when you are not.
01:54I know what this job takes, and I know that I no longer have enough in the tank to do it justice.
02:02It's that simple.
02:05I know there will be much discussion in the aftermath of this decision as to what the so-called real reason was.
02:12I can tell you that what I'm sharing today is it.
02:15The only interesting angle that you will find is that after going on six years of some big challenges, I am human.
02:25Politicians are human.
02:27We give all that we can for as long as we can, and then it's time.
02:33And for me, it's time.
02:36I have no plan.
02:38No next steps.
02:39All I know is that whatever I do, I will try and find ways to keep working for New Zealand.
02:46And that I'm looking forward to spending time with my family once again.
02:51Arguably, they are the ones that have sacrificed the most out of all of us.
02:56And so to Niamh, mum is looking forward to being there when you start school this year.
03:01And to Clark, let's finally get married.
03:04For my part, I want to finish with a simple thank you to New Zealanders for giving me this opportunity to serve
03:12and to take on what has and will always be the greatest role of my life.
03:18I hope in return, I leave behind a belief that you can be kind but strong,
03:24empathetic but decisive, optimistic but focused.
03:29That you can be your own kind of leader, one that knows when it's time to go.
03:34Thank you.
Comentários