resignation

Key points:

• Ms Ardern choked back tears saying she did not have the energy to seek re-election
• Her final day in office will be February 7
• She announced New Zealand's general election will be held on October 14

Ms Ardern choked back tears on Thursday as she said she did not have the energy to seek re-election.

She said her final day in office will be February 7.

"I know what this job takes. And I know that I no longer have enough in the tank to do it justice," she said.

They include Health Minister Sir Puka Temu (Abau), Forestry Minister Douglas Tomuriesa (Kiriwina-Goodenough) and Defence Minister Solan Mirisim (Telefomin). They were joined in their resignations today by six MPs including John Simon (Maprik), Francis Maneke (Talasea), Joseph Yopyyopy (Wosera-Gawi), Isi Henry Leonard (Samarai-Murua), Jimmy Uguro (Usino-Bundi) and Western Governor Taboi Awi Yoto.

The MPs now join the camp led by Tari-Pori MP and former Finance Minister, James Marape.

The announcement was made at Laguna Hotel in Port Moresby this morning.

Opposition Leader Patrick Pruaitch, when welcoming Governor Wouwou, extended their invitation to other MPs in the Government to join them and change the current government.

He said the Prime Minister's post is on the table and invited other parties to form the government.

Pruaitch also made mention of other cabinet ministers who resigned recently from the PNC party.

Last week saw the resignation of Enga Governor Peter Ipatas, SHP Governor William Powi, Hela Governor Philip Undialu, Jiwaka Governor William Tongamp and Komo Margarima MP Manasseh Makiba.

Speaking from Beijing, the Prime Minister said he respected the decisions made by each individual Member of Parliament.

Yesterday, five members of the ruling PNC Party resigned.

The five MPs to resign from PNC include Governors Sir Peter Ipatas (Enga), Philip Undialu (Hela), William Powi (Southern Highlands), and Open MPs Davis Steven (Esa’ala) and Manasseh Makiba (Komo-Margarima).

Sir Ipatas and Steven both return to join the People’s Party, which he said follows an understanding with O’Neill made after the 2012 National Election.

Flanagan quit after he was last month deregistered by the NRL for flouting his 2014 suspension for his part in the club's peptides scandal.

With just five weeks until the club's first trial against Manly at Lottoland, Sharks assistant John Morris has been appointed interim head coach, however, it's not known whether he will permanently take over.

Flanagan said he would respond to the NRL's show-cause notice but said he was standing down so that the club could get on with his job.

His resignation will take effect from 1 February.

Mr Kim, 59, was not due to leave until 2022 after he was re-elected for a second five-year term in 2017.

He will "join a firm and focus on increasing infrastructure investments in developing countries", the World Bank said.

"It has been a great honour to serve as President of this remarkable institution, full of passionate individuals dedicated to the mission of ending extreme poverty in our lifetime," Mr Kim said in a statement.

No reason was given for his unexpected resignation.

His resignation is effective from May 3, 2018, ending his tenure of more than three years.

Woo was appointed chairman of PNG Air Limited in 2014, two years after becoming a director in 2012.

The PNG Air Limited Board anticipates announcing its new chairman after its meeting scheduled for May 9^th 2018.

Woo’s resignation comes more than a week after the announcement of Murlee Siva as chief executive officer.

Lehmann initially signalled an intention to continue in his role after Steve Smith, David Warner and Cameron Bancroft were sent home from South Africa in disgrace for their roles in a pre-meditated plan that saw the latter attempt to alter the condition of the ball during the third Test in Cape Town.

Smith and Warner - formerly the captain and vice-captain of the team - were banned for 12 months by Cricket Australia (CA) on Wednesday, while Bancroft earned a nine-month suspension.