Jacinda Ardern: A Treasure the World Over
On March 15th, 2019, an armed gunman carried out mass shootings at two separate mosques in Auckland, New Zealand, killing 51 people and injuring 49 others, in a horrific act that will forever remain a stain on the city’s history. At the time, Jacinda Ardern, the country’s Prime Minister, described the appalling event as having been the catalyst for “one of New Zealand’s darkest days.” Though an admirable rhetoric, it was her actions afterwards that have truly distinguished her as a leader.
With the world watching in the wake of the high-profile shooting, Ardern immediately addressed the situation in a decisive and enormously profound manner. Vowing to restrict gun accessibility in the immediate aftermath of the shooting, Ardern kept true to her promise, helping to pass a law by the next month that banned most semiautomatic weapons. This fitting reaction was recognized and applauded worldwide, with the United Nations Secretary-General even commending her efforts.
Beyond just banning most semiautomatic weapons, these actions made Ardern a symbol of hope for the Muslim community in New Zealand, assuaging the community through a historic time of grief – and setting a fantastic example for all world leaders at that.
Ardern followed this up by dressing in a black hijab while mourning with the friends and family of the victims. In a further show of support, her government publicly promised to cover all the funeral costs for victims of the attack. Ardern’s ability to transcend party politics that pervaded the tragic event is a perfect example of her magnetism: she has an amazing and unique ability to connect with others, an enviable trait for any leader.
Arden’s remarkable conduct during the shooting isn’t the only thing that has furnished her coveted image. In 2018, she became only the second world leader ever to give birth while in office, demonstrating poise that won her acclaim among the general public and helped to cement her as a feminist icon. Moreover, her down-to-earth behavior has indicated that Ardern didn’t want special attention and helped show that she wasn’t hypocritical like many others who share her profession. As political commentator Morgan Godfrey, put it, “Jacinda Ardern arrived at hospital in her own car, with Clarke [Her Husband] driving. No crown limbo or special ambulance. Her baby was delivered in a public hospital alongside everyone else’s. No private hospital. No extra special attention.” This only strengthened her support and backing of the labor party to which she belongs.
Just 3 months later, Jacinda Ardern attended the United Nations General Assembly –bringing her young daughter along with her, and setting an unusual precedent. However, people around the world saw her actions as a sign of normalcy – she, a prime-minister, was facing the regular struggles of life. The decision also strengthened her image as a proud feminist.
On top of all this, Ardern has also dealt with the problems that Covid 19 posed, once again winning her plaudits worldwide. The general consensus is that her authentic, reliable and honest approach has been particularly refreshing and has helped advance politics in New Zealand. The country was able to stamp out the virus in a matter of months and has dealt with its return efficiently – with fans even allowed to watch sporting events at the time of writing.
The media has claimed that a large part of this was due to the extremely strict and decisive lockdown which Jacinda Ardern placed her country under as soon as the first case arrived. This was a masterstroke and has meant that New Zealand only had 2,116 cases in total, resulting in less than 30 deaths.
Given her status as an iconic feminist, the manner in which she dealt with the Auckland Mosque shootings, and her leadership throughout the coronavirus pandemic so far, it is clear for all to see that Jacinda Ardern is New Zealand’s national treasure — and for all the right reasons.
References:
(1) https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-47578798
(3) https://www.nytimes.com/2019/04/10/world/asia/new-zealand-guns-jacinda-ardern.html
(8) https://twitter.com/MorganGodfery/status/1009698601096732672
(9) https://www.si.com/extra-mustard/2020/06/15/new-zealand-super-rugby-coronavirus-fans-sellout
