Jacinda Ardern resigns as prime minister of New Zealand

Jacinda Ardern has announced she will quit as New Zealand prime minister ahead of this year’s election, saying she no longer has enough in the tank to lead.

The shock announcement comes as polling indicates the party faces a difficult path to re-election on 14 October.

Ms Ardern said she had taken time to consider her future over the summer break, hoping to find the heart and energy to go on in the role.

Meanwhile Ms Ardern will step down by 7 February.