Grant Robertson may reconsider becoming New Zealand PM after Jacinda Ardern resigns

A woman with a traditional facial tattoo and New Zealand’s first openly gay deputy prime minister are just a few of the names being thrown around to replace Jacinda Ardern for the country’s top job.

Ms Ardern announced on Thursday that she would step down on February 7 after five and a half years in office.

Speculation is running high as to who will take their place, with a handful of contenders now taking the spotlight.

Potential candidates include Deputy Prime Minister and Treasury Secretary Grant Robertson and Education Secretary Chris Hipkins – while Secretary of State Nanaia Mahuta could also have a chance.

Ms Ardern denied that her declining popularity in the polls, which was largely due to the strict Covid restrictions, was the reason for her sudden departure.

In a poll released in December, Labor’s popularity fell one percent to 33 percent, while the country’s largest centre-right party, National, rose one point to 38 percent.

Although Mr Robertson has already said he has no intention of running the country, political analysts believe he still has time to reconsider.

Ms Ardern announced in an emotional news conference on Thursday that she would step down on February 7 after five and a half years in the top job

Political analysts say Deputy Prime Minister and Treasury Secretary Grant Robertson could take the top job, although he says he has no interest in leading the country

The New Zealand Herald’s senior political correspondent Audrey Young said Ms Ardern and Mr Robertson were “in a league of their own within the Labor Cabinet”.

In an article for the publication, Ms Young said it was possible Mr Robertson felt “responsible” for remaining in his role as Treasury Secretary.

“He shouldn’t feel burdened by the vow he made in 2014 not to seek Labor leadership again after narrowly losing to Andrew Little. He is needed now,” she wrote.

“The best option would be for Robertson to change his mind, become Prime Minister and hand over the finances to (Education Secretary) Chris Hipkins or to Deputy Treasury Secretary Megan Woods.

“The next best option would be for Hipkins to become prime minister and apparently leave the finances with Robertson.”

Mr Robertson became the first openly gay man to hold the role of Deputy Prime Minister in November 2020. And if Mr Robertson thinks about it again, he would make history as New Zealand’s first openly gay Prime Minister.

Secretary of State Nanaia Mahuta was the first MP to wear a moko kauae, a cultural mark worn by Māori women

“I still get a lot of emails and messages from young gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people who look forward to us providing that kind of role modeling,” he said at the time.

“So I’m going to do my job the way I did it, but I’m very proud to have the role.”

Following Ms Ardern’s retirement, Mr Robertson made it clear he would not throw his hat in the ring.

“When I failed to secure leadership of the party for the second time in 2014, I indicated that I would not stand again. My position has not changed,” he said in a statement.

“It’s a job you want to do badly to give it the justice it deserves.

“I firmly believe that there are colleagues in the caucus who are both able and willing to take on this role.”

Instead, he said he would commit to his role as finance minister.

Meanwhile, Mr Hipkins, the Education and Police Secretary, has come to prominence for spearheading the country’s response to the Covid pandemic.

Chris Mr Hipkins, the education and police secretary, has come to prominence for spearheading the country’s response to the Covid pandemic.

When asked about his intentions to take the lead, Mr Hipkins said he wasn’t ruling out anything, but added: “I think people just need a little bit of time”.

Ms. Mahuta was the first female MP to ever wear one moko kauaea cultural mark worn by Māori women, in Parliament and was also the first woman to hold the post of Foreign Secretary.

Mrs Mahuta has ties to Māori royalty, with her father being the adopted son of King Korokī.

She got the tattoo in 2016 and said it offers “positive ways to enable cultural expression and to be proud to be Māori.

Though a potential contender, it’s likely that her role in the controversial Three Waters Reform will hurt her chances of taking the lead.

The reform included municipal water, sewage and stormwater services from 67 municipalities, which were instead transferred to four major entities.

Another prime ministerial candidate, Kiri Allan, Minister of Justice (intermediate) of New Zealand, if elected would also become the country’s first openly gay leader, as well as the first prime minister of Maori descent

Waimakariri Mayor Dan Gordon said many residents are “not happy about losing control of their assets and infrastructure.”

Another candidate for prime minister, Kiri Allan, New Zealand’s justice minister, if elected would also become the country’s first openly gay leader, as well as the first prime minister of Māori descent.

Ms Allan is a former barrister and has held numerous Labor ministerial posts since 2020.

Announcing her resignation on Thursday, Ms Ardern said a good leader knows when to step down.

“I know what this job requires. And I know I don’t have enough in the tank left to do it justice,” she said.

“I would be doing a disservice to continue.”