One of the year’s biggest shocks came only a few weeks into the new year. Back in January, Jacinda Ardern stunned the world when she used her first press conference of 2023 to announce her resignation as Prime Minister.

It brought to an end the five year tenure of the reluctant premier, a politician who never sought the country’s highest office, yet found herself at the coal face for one of the most tumultuous periods in New Zealand’s history.

There throughout her time on the ninth floor were Newstalk ZB political correspondent, Barry Soper, and NZ Herald senior political correspondent, Audrey Young. The two press gallery veterans joined us during 2023 to share their thoughts on Jacinda Ardern’s time in office and what her legacy holds.

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Jacinda Ardern's resignation: Barry Soper, Audrey Young weigh in on her legacy