Jacinda Ardern's resignation - Pacific politicians 'shocked' but 'not totally surprised'

Jacinda Ardern's resignation took many people by surprise, including politicians.

Mangere-Otahuhu local board member Togiatolu Walter Togiamua didn't know until he was contacted by PMN news team. He says he's shocked.

“I don’t know, surprised. You know, yeah, very surprised, considering the good work that she’s done, and obviously that’s a personal decision of her then I total respect that.

"These things happen and I am sure there will be individuals or members of the Labour Party who will find someone that can step in.

Former National MP Agnes Loheni says she wasn't totally surprised. Loheni paid her respects to Ardern despite their different values and political views.

She says Ardern tried to deliver for New Zealand the best under her Labour Party.

“The resignation was pending. There’s been a lot of talk about it last year. I have to say I mean not many of us attest to being in such a role as prime minister so it’s hard to imagine of course what that role is like. Notwithstanding that sure it would be a very challenging one.

“I acknowledge that role and I just wish her all the best.”

Another former National MP Alfred Ngaro echoed Ardens’s struggle to find the energy to carry on for another term, saying many politicians feel the same way.

“It’s an incredibly demanding job. Politics had demands on you personally, professionally, and also with your family. I fully understand I think anyone who’s been in politics can fully appreciate that."

Ngaro says there will be disappointments from her own colleagues and others for her pulling the plug and not continuing but says her decision to quit has been weighed by undelivered promises, expectations of what could have been achieved and failed.

He thinks the weight of that was bearing down on Ardern. But where is the Labour Party without Jacinda Ardern?

"She was the golden tooth to get them where they were," says Ngaro.

"It was a fresh face and people were saying this is great and she's become a known brand. But I do believe that brand has been damaged over time.

"I don't believe that brand held fast because they began to see that all the promises that had been made just weren't being delivered and people began to see through that."

Political commentator Richard Pamatatau says Ardern showed leadership and courage in her decision and there is an opportunity for other Labour Party Members to take up the mantle.

"There's a brutal honesty in the decision to step down. What we're seeing is a politician who has the courage to say I can't do this anymore and it's time for somebody else to step up."