Jacinda Ardern makes final address as prime minister before Chris Hipkins ... trends now
Jacinda Ardern has donned a traditional Maori outfit as she delivered an emotional final address as New Zealand's prime minister.
Ms Ardern said on Tuesday she was 'ready to be a sister and a mum' as she prepares to step down from her role as leader of the country.
She described her successor Chris Hipkins as a 'personable, down to earth and practical' man and encouraged Kiwis to call him by his endearing nickname.
'You know me as "Aunty", I hope you know him as "Chippy" (his nickname in parliament). He is personable, down to earth and practical with tools,' she said.
Jacinda Ardern has donned a traditional Maori outfit as she delivered an emotional final address as prime minister
Ms Ardern said on Tuesday she was 'ready to be a sister and a mum' as she prepared to step down from her role as leader of the country
Ms Ardern will head to government house on Wednesday morning to resign her commission, with Mr Hipkins to be sworn in as prime minister soon after.
The pair spent Tuesday together, travelling to Ratana Pa for Ms Ardern's final public event as New Zealand's leader.
The meeting place was particularly poignant for the outgoing prime minister as it was the same location she announced her pregnancy four years ago.
Ms Ardern said Kiwis would still see her around, but not in public debates.
'You won't find me commentating on domestic politics. I've had my time,' she said.
'I'm ready to be lots of things. I'm ready to be a backbench MP. I'm ready to be a sister and a mum.'
Ms Ardern surprised Kiwis and much of her party last Thursday when she announced her resignation at Labour's year-starting retreat in Napier.
She described her successor Chris Hipkins as 'personable, down to earth and practical' man and encouraged residents to call him by his endearing
