Jacinda Ardern has no regrets over quitting 

New Zealand’s PM Jacinda Ardern has said she has “no regrets” about her shock decision to step down as PM. Her announcement was a surprise to both supporters and critics.

She said she was feeling a “range of emotions” from sadness to a “sense of relief” just one day after revealing she had “no more in the tank.” 

Polls suggest her party has a difficult path to re-election in October.

She has said she will not openly back any of the likely candidates to replace her. 

Speaking on Friday outside an airport in Napier, she said she had “slept well for the first time in a long time.” She also pushed back on suggestions by some commentators that experiences of misogyny had played a role in her decision. 

Ms Ardern said she had a “message for women in leadership and girls who are considering leadership in the future” that “you can have a family and be in these roles”, adding “you can lead in your own style”.

Who will replace Jacinda Ardern? 

Jacinda Ardern will step down by 7 February and Labour MPs will hold a leadership vote on Sunday. If no candidate gets the support of two-thirds of the party, the vote will then go to the wider Labour membership. 

The PM believes her successor would be selected on Sunday. 

Chris Hipkins appears to be the most likely candidate. But Kiri Allen and Michael Wood are also in the running.