Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern will stand down in February 7.

She said she had hoped to find the energy and heart to continue in the role over summer, “but I have not been able to do that”.

She said she had reflected on her own future. “This has been the most fulfilling five and a half years of my life,” Ardern said.

She made the announcement choking back tears.

Ardern said her team were well placed to take the country forward and contest the next election.

“I am not leaving because I believe we can’t win the election but because I believe we can and will.”

She said there was no secret scandal behind her resignation. “I am human. We give as much as we can for as long as we can and then it’s time. And for me, it’s time.

“I am leaving because with such a privileged job comes a big responsibility. The responsibility to know when you are the right person to lead - and also when you’re not.”

Ardern said she was not leaving because it was hard.

“I know when I have enough left in the tank to do it justice.”

Ardern’s partner Clarke Gayford is in the room for the press conference.

She would stay as an MP of Mt Albert until April to avoid the need for a byelection, She had no plans beyond that as yet, and was looking forward to spending more time with her family.

Election date announced

Ardern also announced this year’s election will be on Saturday, October 14.

The PM announced the date at the Labour Party caucus retreat at Napier.

Ardern also ordered her ministers to consider which reform areas should be the priorities for the year over the summer - and which should be scrapped as Labour moves to try to wipe some controversial policies off its plate.

It was Ardern’s first public appearance since Parliament wound up for the year a month ago and she will be keen to start the year on the front foot - and to try to ensure MPs’ fearing for their political fates after Labour’s slip in the polls stay focused and do not lose heart.

The first Cabinet meeting of the year will be next Wednesday, after MPs visit Ratana on Tuesday.

The Labour caucus is in Napier, where National is also having its caucus retreat two kilometres away. Media are usually invited in for Ardern’s opening remarks to the caucus - but this year the venue was closed to media until before her standup. MPs discussed election strategies in the morning session.

That was prompted by concerns the venue was not soundproof, and the party did not want the discussions overheard.

This morning National Party leader Christopher Luxon unveiled his reshuffle, including significant promotions for both former leaders Judith Collins and Todd Muller.

Muller has been promoted into the shadow Cabinet and secured the agriculture portfolio and climate change. Judith Collins has been promoted to the front bench - at 10. She was previously at the tail end of the shadow Cabinet, and has announced her intention to stand again in 2023, getting re-selected as the candidate in her Papakura seat.

Luxon’s fellow first-term MP Penny Simmons has also squeaked into the shadow Cabinet at 20.

Labour’s retreat will wind up with a dinner tonight while National has a second day of meetings tomorrow.