By: Gracie B.
This post is the first in a series of four articles highlighting the unique contributions of influential female world leaders. This month's article features Jacinda Arden, the current Prime Minister of New Zealand.
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“Jacinda Ardern” Wikimedia Commons, Wikipedia,
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"You can be strong, and you can be kind.” – Jacinda Ardern
It was September of 2018, and the Prime Minister of New Zealand boarded a plane to New York for a United Nations General Assembly. While other politicians invited translators and advisors to the summit, Ardern brought an unexpected guest: her infant daughter, Neve.1 After becoming the second woman in modern history to give birth while leading a nation, Ardern sought to express her support for working mothers.2, 3 In this bold show of solidarity, she demonstrated the progressive, empathetic nature of her prime ministership. “You can be strong, and you can be kind,” she said when asked to explain her ideal of compassionate government. In an interview on The Today Show, the Prime Minister outlined her goal of promoting the overall wellbeing of New Zealanders.4 Although accomplishing this agenda is no easy task, Ardern has refused to shy away from the complex challenges facing New Zealand. Her willingness to tackle contentious issues head-on has garnered global interest in her innovative leadership style.
Jacinda Ardern was born in Murupara, a part of New Zealand riddled with poverty and Maori gang violence. She witnessed destitution first-hand, and her early experiences sparked her passion for inciting political change.5 After relocating to Auckland, Ardern joined the Labour Party at just seventeen years old.6 The Labour Party shapes New Zealand politics through a tripartisan coalition government, which brings together a multitude of different perspectives to create policy.7 Although the Labour Party is often described as center-left, Ardern has skirted its most liberal fringes. For instance, her service as president of the International Union of Socialist Youth earned her the nickname “Socialist Cindy.”8, 9 Yet, despite conservatives’ concerns over her overt leftism, Ardern gained a wide following after becoming leader of the Labour Party in 2017.10 The country was soon caught up in a craze known as Jacindamania, which fueled her campaign for the prime ministership in the same year. Thirty-seven-year-old Ardern was appointed to the position by the Governor-General, becoming the youngest Prime Minister in New Zealand’s history.11, 12
As the newly appointed head-of-state, Ardern proposed a sweeping policy agenda. She marketed a ‘fairer deal’ for New Zealand citizens, which included free college, decriminalization of abortion, and initiatives to mitigate childhood poverty. In contrast to pro-immigrant American liberals, she has pushed to reduce the number of migrants entering New Zealand.13 Although Ardern is a self-described champion of humanitarianism, she posits that curbing immigration would mitigate the country's housing shortage.14 Additionally, Ardern has been hailed for her contributions to the feminist movement. She was a proud participant in the 2016 Women’s March and argued against the expectation that women reveal family plans to potential employers in a fiery interview exchange.15, 16 Many analysts have been charmed by her unconventional conduct, which is summarized by journalist Maureen Dowd in her New York Times’ Op-Ed entitled “Lady of the Rings: Jacinda Rules.” Dowd, who sat down for an interview with Ardern, was immediately stricken by the Prime Minister’s casual demeanor. From preventing a proposed raise to her own salary to shopping at K-Mart, Ardern’s frugal sensibility has allowed her to prioritize the interests of ordinary citizens.17 Yet, her “relentless positivity” was threatened by the 2018 Christchurch mosque shooting, in which an Islamophobic gunman killed dozens of worshippers. Jacinda Ardern was quick to comfort the families of victims, condemn bigotry, and push for gun control. Ardern’s clarion call for tolerance received worldwide praise, demonstrating her ability to lead in both triumph and tragedy.18
Although not without controversy, Jacinda Ardern’s prime ministership is transforming New Zealand. Ardern champions an approach to policy that is designed to be both practical and compassionate. In prioritizing education, healthcare, and housing, Ardern hopes to create a more equitable society in which all people can share in the country’s prosperity. As she continues to challenge conventions and push for change, Jacinda Ardern’s progressive policies will undoubtedly continue to play an influential role in global politics.
1 France-Presse, Agence. “New Zealand's Jacinda Ardern Says Baby Neve Will Attend United Nations with Her, as She Returns to Work.” The Telegraph, Telegraph Media Group, 2 Aug. 2018, www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2018/08/02/new-zealands-jacinda-ardern-says-baby-neve-will-attend-united/.
2 Dowd, Maureen. “Lady of the Rings: Jacinda Rules.” The New York Times, 8 Sept. 2018, https://www.nytimes.com/2018/09/08/opinion/sunday/jacinda-ardern-new-zealand-prime-minister.html.
3 McLaughlin, Kelly. “New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern Has Been Applauded for Her Actions Following the Christchurch Mosque Shootings. Here's Everything You Need to Know about Her.” Business Insider, 20 Mar. 2019, https://www.businessinsider.com/new-zealand-prime-minister-jacinda-ardern-biography-2019-3#ardern-joined-new-zealand-parliament-in-2008-2.
4 “New Zealand’s Prime Minister Talks About Being a New Mom and a World Leader.” Today, NBC Universal, New York, New York, 24 Sept. 2018.
5 Wallenfeldt, Jeff. “Jacinda Ardern.” Encyclopædia Britannica, https://www.britannica.com/biography/Jacinda-Ardern.
6 Wallenfeldt, “Jacinda Ardern.”
7 “New Zealand : Constitution and Politics.” The Commonwealth, Commonwealth Secretariat , https://thecommonwealth.org/our-member-countries/new-zealand/constitution-politics.
8 Wallenfeldt, “Jacinda Ardern.”
9 Dowd, “Lady of the Rings: Jacinda Rules.”
10 Wallenfeldt, “Jacinda Ardern.”
11 “New Zealand : Constitution and Politics.” The Commonwealth.
12 Dowd, “Lady of the Rings: Jacinda Rules.”
13 Wallenfeldt, “Jacinda Ardern.”
14 da Costa, Ana Nicolaci. “New Zealand PM Says No Immediate Cut to Immigration.” Reuters, 6 Nov. 2017, www.reuters.com/article/uk-newzealand-politics-ardern/new-zealand-pm-says-no-immediate-cut-to-immigration-idUKKBN1D708L.
15 Dowd, “Lady of the Rings: Jacinda Rules.”
16 Wallenfeldt, “Jacinda Ardern.”
17 Dowd, “Lady of the Rings: Jacinda Rules.”
18 McLaughlin, Kelly. “New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern Has Been Applauded for Her Actions Following the Christchurch Mosque Shootings. Here's Everything You Need to Know about Her.”
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