It has been a bit of a whirlwind over the past few years. From entering politics at the age of 17 to becoming one of the youngest Prime Minister of New Zealand and back again to being a wife, Mum and a fellow at Harvard University in Boston. 

I didn’t leave because it was hard. Had that been the case I probably would have departed two months into the job. I left because with such a privileged role, comes responsibility, the responsibility to know when you are the right person to lead, and also, when you are not. I know what this job takes, and I know that I no longer have enough in the tank to do it justice. It is that simple. 

I have such great faith in all the people that I worked with and was lucky enough to work with. They’re wonderful. They’re doing a great job, and they don’t need me.

 There are different ways to lead, I hope you also see that some of those character traits that we perhaps bring to leadership that we might believe to be weaknesses — imposter syndrome, or even empathy are incredible strengths. 

But she took on the role with confidence, and over five years, championed issues including gun control, climate change, child poverty reduction, raised minimum wage, paid parental leave and mental health. 

While this was one of the times when I had to admit defeat it was one of the best decisions I have made for me and my family.

It gave me time to write about my journey and in doing so gain clarity into so much there was barely a minute to see during the major blur of my life at that time.