WORLD NEEDS LEADERS LIKE JACINDA ARDERN

New Zealand’s outgoing PM shows power of compassionate leadership amid right-wing populism and extremist political ideologies

Jacinda Ardern’s sudden decision to step down as New Zealand’s prime minister by February 7 has surprised the world. Her popularity and political footprint have gone far beyond what the leader of a country like New Zealand’s size and stature usually commands. The world’s youngest female head of government at the time of her appointment also gave birth to her daughter in 2018 while in office — only the second PM to do so after Pakistan’s Benazir Bhutto.

Ardern was also the first global leader to bring her child to the floor of the UN General Assembly. Known for progressive policies and strong leadership, she earned praise for her swift and decisive actions during the pandemic, which helped contain Covid-19 in New Zealand.

Ardern prioritised measures to address child poverty and inequality and has implemented several policies, but with limited success. She has also been a vocal advocate for women’s rights and gender equality. After winning a landslide majority in 2020, Ardern appointed eight women ministers and five indigenous Maori ministers. She also passed the Equal Pay Amendment Bill in July 2020 to close the gender pay gap and declared the start of the Maori New Year as a public holiday.

Ardern is seen as a refreshingly honest and genuine leader. Her commitment to multilateralism, global cooperation, and international development has also earned her respect among other world leaders. To meet the country’s climate change goals, she was the first leader to declare a tax on agricultural emissions.

Response to Christchurch terror attacks

Her popularity and stature grew immensely after the Christchurch terror attacks in March 2019. Ardern showed compassionate and decisive leadership by reaching out to New Zealand’s small, but growing Muslim community to offer support. Ardern wearing a hijab during her visits to mosques as a sign of solidarity with the Muslim community was seen as a powerful symbol of empathy. She also implemented several measures to address the issues that led to the terror attacks by banning the sale of all types of semi-automatic weapons and assault rifles. She also launched a global campaign to end online hate and the spreading of extremist ideology.

Ardern has become a global icon for doing politics with progressive-liberal values. She has shown the power of compassionate leadership when the world struggles with the rise of right-wing populism and extremist political ideologies. Her decision to step down to spend time with her family is also significant, particularly when several so-called ‘strongman’ leaders are reluctant to resign even after losing elections.

Ardern’s leadership style may encourage many, particularly women, to join politics. While right-wing populism poses a grave threat to liberal democracy and there is increasing cynicism concerning politics, the world needs more political leaders like Ardern for democracies and liberal international order to revive their stature.