Jacinda Ardern's resignation as Prime Minister has made global headlines, with media outlets making note of her leadership through major disasters and the COVID-19 pandemic.
Ardern resigned on Thursday, saying she would not seek re-election and planned to stand down no later than next month.
Announcing her resignation, Ardern said she still believed Labour would win the upcoming election - which she confirmed would be held on October 14.
The Prime Minister was lauded for New Zealand's success in fighting COVID-19 when it first emerged in 2020, with The Guardian highlighting how she "led New Zealand through the COVID-19 pandemic, and major disasters including the terror attack on two mosques in Christchurch, and the White Island volcanic eruption".
At Bloomberg, the business news outlet highlighted how it was a "shock" resignation.
Other international media outlets to report on the resignation included The New York Times and the BBC, with the latter also highligting Ardern's leadership through COVID-19.
Other reactions
Australia Prime Minister Anthony Albanese
"Jacinda Ardern has shown the world how to lead with intellect and strength.
"She has demonstrated that empathy and insight are powerful leadership qualities.
"Jacinda has been a fierce advocate for New Zealand, an inspiration to so many and a great friend to me."
New Zealand Opposition leader Christopher Luxon
"On behalf of the National Party, I offer to Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern our thanks for her service to New Zealand.
"She has given her all to this incredibly demanding job and I wish her and her family all the very best for the future. Thank you, Jacinda."
Australia's Victoria Premier Daniel Andrews
"Through a pandemic, a terrorist attack and an eruption, Jacinda led with a kindness which came to define her Prime Ministership.
"A real leader, with so much to be proud of."
Former South Australia Premier Mike Rann
"Jacinda Ardern showed the world that a small country could be a leader internationally; a leader in decency and in building bridges between people, cultures and religions at home and abroad.
"She also deserves enormous credit for her Government's management of the COVID-19 crisis."
Australia's Queensland Labor Party
"As Prime Minister of New Zealand and leader of @nzlabour, Jacinda Ardern has been strong, intelligent, courageous and compassionate - and an example to us all.
"We wish her well in her whatever comes next."
Millionaire Kim Dotcom
"She's been subject to much criticism and abuse. I believe she has tried her best.
"She had a great start and then came COVID-19.
"I wish Jacinda, @NZClarke and little Neve all the best."
New Zealand ACT Party leader David Seymour
"Jacinda Ardern is a well-meaning person but her idealism collided hard with reality. We wish her and her family well for their future."
Far-right US Fox News host Tucker Carlson
"Most authoritarian leader that country has ever had and no one else comes close.
"She shut down the entire country over a single COVID case. She told everyone to stay in their bubbles, she told citizens to inform on their neighbors by calling the police if they saw them outside."
UK-based New Zealand journalist Dan Wootton
"Jacinda Ardern has resigned as New Zealand's Prime Minister knowing full well she was about to be brutally booted from office by Kiwis who woke up to her COVID authoritarianism, be kind hypocrisy and an economic catastrophe she inflicted on an amazing country," he said.
Some people hit back at these comments by Wootton, an outspoken commentator, on Twitter.
"Except she actually did good in her position, also had one of the better handles on COVID... Do some research," one user said.
"Drivel from you as per usual," another responded.
