New Zealand’s Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern surprised the world this week, announcing that she was quitting because she no longer had “enough in the tank” to do the job.
“Politicians are human. We give all that we can, for as long as we can, and then it’s time,” she said in an emotional address that signalled the end of her five-and-a-half years in office.
It is unusual for a politician to admit they are burnt out – but it’s not surprising that the stress of leading a country can take its toll.
World leaders enjoy many privileges, but they must often cope with constant travelling, long hours, and little time to relax.
Former New Zealand Prime Minister Helen Clark understands more than most the pressure of having a country’s top job.
She recalls working “a tremendous number of hours a day” as prime minister for nine years, from 1999 to 2008.
Like Ms Ardern, she was based in Auckland and was constantly travelling to and from the capital city Wellington – an hour’s flight away.
“That often involves a seven o’clock flight in the morning, so you might get up at five and then you might go to bed after midnight,” she tells the BBC.
“On nights you stay in Wellington, you’re probably still going to be up at daybreak and then maybe working to the wee small hours.”
