Jacinda Ardern leaves a legacy forged from crisis

File photo of Ardern who announced her resignation on Jan 19. Photo: Reuters

Jacinda Ardern promised "relentless positivity" as New Zealand's prime minister, but in announcing her shock resignation today admitted the unrelenting demands of the job had finally worn her down.

A fresh-faced Ardern was elected prime minister in 2017, and in a tumultuous first term faced New Zealand's worst terror attack, a deadly volcanic eruption, and the Covid-19 pandemic.