Jacinda Ardern went from New Zealand’s Queen to truly hated

This week Jacinda Ardern delivered her final speech and the reason for her downfall from politics is down to one move.

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Cliched as it may be, she was Queen of the Beehive – as New Zealand’s parliamentary building is affectionately known by.

Revered by her colleagues and exalted by the public, her takeover from former Labour Leader and current Defence Minister Andrew Little saw an explosion of support for the centre-left party.

When elected in 2017 the media dubbed it “Jacindamania”. A dazzling smile, a progressive attitude, and an empathetic heart. The Jacinda effect was enough to bring an end to nine years of National leadership.

At just 37 years of age, she was the world’s youngest female leader and the youngest elected leader of New Zealand in more than 150 years. Not to mention its first to have a baby in office. No small feat.

On March 15, 2019, her true legacy was made.

She taught us what it was to be a compassionate leader after the Christchurch terror attacks that killed 51 people. Her personal presence was entirely unscripted. She embraced Muslim women and men; she wore a hijab during visits; and never spoke the name of the terrorist. Politically, she backed it all up with swift changes in gun legislation and the establishment of the Christchurch Call, for which she has now, aptly, become the government’s Special Envoy.

Jacinda Ardern’s sincerity and leadership was lauded internationally, including a projection of her on the Burj Khalifa for all the world to see. Hers was a face to trust.

At just 37 years of age, Ms Jacinda Ardern was the world’s youngest female leader. Picture: Mark Mitchell / POOL / AFP

Nine months later the former Prime Minister was put to the test a second time during the Whakaari / White Island disaster. Twenty-two people were killed, including 14 Australians. Once more, Jacinda Ardern stepped up. She embraced first responders and assured victims a place in the hearts of all New Zealanders.

Albeit through tragedy, Jacinda Ardern was making a name for herself and for New Zealand.

When the Covid-19 pandemic hit it seemed the former Prime Minister could do no wrong. The rules and regulations laid out by her Government were welcomed almost without hesitation. It wasn’t until August 2020 that the country’s first anti-lockdown protest took place in Auckland. Which meant nothing three months later in the November election, when Jacinda Ardern and the Labour Party were rewarded with a landslide victory. Voters had clearly endorsed her government’s early – and successful – efforts to stamp out the deadly coronavirus.

I arrived to New Zealand’s capital, Wellington, the day international borders reopened in 2022. By then tensions were high. Border shutdowns and strict Covid-19 regulations were issues that impacted not only myself but thousands of Kiwi citizens.

You’ll recall the case of journalist Charlotte Bellis who turned to the Taliban for help after being unable to get through New Zealand’s lottery quarantine system whilst pregnant. (It was current Prime Minister Chris Hipkins who apologised to Bellis for incorrectly stating consular assistance had been offered to and rejected by her twice).

New Zealand's new Prime Minister Chris Hipkins. Picture: Marty Melville / AFP

The Covid quarantine system and border shutdowns were a shambolic and frustrating experience – one I’d witnessed firsthand.

As quickly as she put New Zealand on the world stage, she just as swiftly closed the curtains.

Although very few leaders made it out of the pandemic unscathed, for Jacinda Ardern praise quickly turned to heavy criticism. The zero-Covid approach had backfired. Her stance was very similar to that of Victoria’s Premier Daniel Andrews - the pair had consulted often on restrictions, which had become draconian. Empathy had suddenly become a blurred line. Or perhaps a double-standard.

When borders reopened and lives resumed - somewhat - as normal, reality came knocking. The uninvited guests: a cost-of-living crisis and weakening policies. She believed her generation’s “nuclear-free moment” was climate change but in practice the government’s emissions targets weren’t being met and likely won’t by 2050.

Her hard push for child poverty reduction since coming into power proved fruitless when Stats NZ revealed rates had plateaued for the year ending June 2022 compared to the previous year. The Labour Government called the “steady” figures “encouraging”.

Perhaps unsurpsingly in December 2021, Jacinda and the Labour Party suffered their worst ever polling results, respectively.

In the time that I’ve lived in New Zealand, I’ve asked Kiwis what they think of Jacinda Ardern. There are two extremes: complete adoration or utter contempt. Of the latter, the vitriol had become so extreme her security detail was increased to combat the absurd level of threats to her life and the lives of her family members, including her almost 5-year-old daughter.

Clearly, five years of crises and a dramatic shift in public opinion and behaviour had taken its toll.

Ms Ardern announced her resignation in January. Picture: Kerry Marshall/Getty Images

In January, in Napier, when Jacinda Ardern announced her decision to step down as Prime Minister, an audible gasp was heard among the press pack. Even if she felt she had “nothing left in the tank”, it never showed, and her announcement was - quite frankly - a shock to everyone.

It’s a rare admission for any political leader to make. And an even rarer decision eight months out from a general election - though likely one that could save the Labour Party in the October election this year.

Her successor, Chris “Chippy” Hipkins, who started in politics with Ardern in 2008, has already seen a spike in polls as preferred Prime Minister. Having bonfired some of her major passion projects, the public has once again returned favour to Labour. For now.

In her valedictory speech, Jacinda Ardern described herself as a “worrier”. She revealed personal anxieties like breaking into a cold sweat during tough phone calls, or not being able to stomach food before question time, and being someone that always anticipated something would go wrong.

In her final remarks she said “I leave this place as sensitive as I ever was. Prone to dwell on the negative… I am a crier and a hugger… You can be that person and be here.” It’s a fitting sentiment to leave with a country you’ve dedicated 15 years to as a public servant. For whatever X-factor qualities Jacinda Ardern had, she was a public servant. And if she could choose her legacy, I’m sure that would be it.

In her resignation she said she hoped the world would remember her as someone who was kind. But kindness in an unkind world can only get you so far.

Whatever your political persuasions, Jacinda Ardern held her own domestically and on the world stage. She’ll admit she didn’t always get it right, but it goes without question, she did the job with grace and tenacity.

And for that she should be inducted into the world leaders Hall of Fame.

Jessica Maggio is the Sky News New Zealand bureau chief