Dr Ashley Bloomfield, who led New Zealand’s pandemic response, resigns

Softly-spoken public servant who became a household name says the role had been challenging and complex

• See all our coronavirus coverage

The understated doctor who became an unexpected star of New Zealand's pandemic has resigned after two years leading the country's Covid response.

Dr Ashley Bloomfield, New Zealand's director-general of health announced his resignation on Wednesday, and said that it had been a huge privilege".