Ardern’s legacy of kindness, and disappointments

Speaking from the heart (and bringing her baby to the UN) helped turn Jacinda Ardern into a global icon of the left. But at home in New Zealand she struggled to prove her leadership extended beyond crisis management and kindness.

Praveen Menon

Jan 19, 2023 – 6.03pm

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Jacinda Ardern put New Zealand on the map in her five years as prime minister, becoming a global icon for left-leaning politics and women in leadership, even as she struggled at home with the economy and COVID-19 restrictions.

The 42-year-old, who gained attention for bringing her baby to a UN meeting and wearing a hijab after the Christchurch massacre that targeted Muslims, announced she will step down in less than three weeks, saying she had “no more in the tank”.

Reuters