In a surprise announcement, Jacinda Ardern has said she is stepping down as prime minister.
Ardern became the world’s youngest female head of government when she was elected prime minister in 2017 at age 37, and said her time in office have been the “most fulfilling five-and-a-half years of my life”.
Recently, her leadership has been dominated by her handling of the Covid-19 pandemic, but she also led New Zealand through major disasters including the terror attack on two mosques in Christchurch, and the White Island volcanic eruption.
She became something of a global celebrity figure for her crisis management skills, but more recently her domestic popularity has waned. Last month, she pledged to pare back her agenda as election year approached, and over the past year, her party’s polling slumped amid concerns about the cost of living, the economy, and crime.
So how should Ardern be remembered? What will Ardern’s lasting effect on New Zealand be? What aspects of her policies stand out for you? Was there a particular moment that shaped your view of her?
We’d also like to hear from people around the world about their views on Ardern? What are your views on her leadership?
Share your experiences
We will only use the data you provide us for the purpose of the feature. We will delete any personal data when we no longer require it for this purpose. For more information please see our terms of service and privacy policy.
If you’re having trouble using the form, click here.
