New Zealand's Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has announced she is stepping down. She says her time in office has been her greatest honor, but says she is no longer the right person for the job.

Ardern said, "I know that I no longer have enough in the tank to do it justice. It is that simple. But I absolutely believe and know, there are others around me who do."

Ardern says she will resign no later than February 7. There has been no word on who will run to take over leadership of her Labour Party. New Zealand is also gearing up for a general election in October.

In 2017, Ardern became the world's then-youngest woman ever to be elected prime minister.

She also became the first-ever sitting head of government to take maternity leave.

She guided New Zealand through the 2019 Christchurch mosque shootings, and the COVID-19 pandemic. But her popularity has flagged in recent times - over issues like the rising cost of living.

An independent poll last month put Ardern's approval rating at 29 percent -- her lowest since taking office.