New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announces she's resigning

New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has announced she is resigning from the top job.

She struggled to hold back tears during the big announcement where she explained why she won't be seeking re-election.

Ms Ardern explained to reporters: "I know what this job takes. And I know that I no longer have enough in the tank to do it justice."

She added: “I’m a politician who is first and foremost human."

The outgoing Prime Minister said she's looking forward to being there for when her daughter starts school next year and is also excited to get married to her partner Clarke Gayford.

Her final day as Prime Minister will be on February 7 and a general election for New Zealand will be held on October 14.

"This will give me a bit of time in the electorate before I depart, and also spare them and the country a by-election," she said.

"Beyond that, I have no plan. No next steps.

"All I know is that whatever I do, I will try and find ways to keep working for New Zealand and that I am looking forward to spending time with my family again - arguably, they are the ones that have sacrificed the most out of all of us."

She's been in power since 2017 and Ms Ardern feels like her track records speaks for itself.

"It’s one thing to lead your country through peace time, it’s another to lead them through crisis," she explained.

"I had the privilege of being alongside NZ in a crisis and they placed their faith in me."

The Prime Minister led her country through the Covid-19 pandemic as well as the Christchurch terror attack that claimed dozens of lives.

“I decided to give myself a chance to really reflect if I had what was needed... I’d be doing a disservice to New Zealand if I continued,” she said.