NEW ZEALAND EX-PM JACINDA ARDERN HONORED AS A DAME

Mon 05 June 2023:

Jacinda Ardern received one of New Zealand’s highest honors, becoming a dame in recognition of her service to the nation during the Covid-19 outbreak and the Christchurch terrorist attacks.

Prime Minister Chris Hipkins announced the appointment on Monday to mark the King’s Birthday public holiday, with Ardern among 182 recipients receiving various honors for their contributions to the country.

“Having served as Prime Minister from 2017 to 2023, Dame Jacinda Ardern is recognized for her service to New Zealand during some of the greatest challenges our country has faced in modern times,” Hipkins said in a statement.

Hipkins hails from the same party as Ardern, the Labour Party, and succeeded her as leader.

Ardern accepted the honour but said she had felt conflicted about doing so. “I was in two minds about accepting this acknowledgment. So many of the things we went through as a nation over the last five years were about all of us rather than one individual,” she said.

“But I have heard that said by so many Kiwis who I have encouraged to accept an honour over the years. And so for me this is a way to say thank you – to my family, to my colleagues, and to the people who supported me to take on the most challenging and rewarding role of my life.”

Ardern has kept a low public profile since her surprising resignation in January. She has taken a position as a special envoy to the prime minister to continue her work on responses to online extremism and terrorism; she has joined the board of Prince William’s Earthshot prize, which honours responses to environmental challenges; and she has accepted fellowships at Harvard University.

On Monday, the country announced its king’s birthday honors, including a public holiday to honor King Charles III. Queen Camilla was also honored with a New Zealand order of distinction for her support of the monarch. In New Zealand, it is customary to honor the monarch’s spouse for their service.

When Ardern became Prime Minister of New Zealand in 2017, she was the country’s third female leader and one of the world’s youngest leaders. She became only the second world leader in a year to give birth while in office.

She soon rose to prominence as a progressive global symbol, known for her sensitivity as she led New Zealand through these crises and for taking her young daughter to the United Nations General Assembly.

However, her popularity at home has dwindled due to increased living costs, housing shortages, and economic worry. She also experienced violent anti-lockdown rallies in Wellington, as well as threats made against her.

SOURCE: INDEPENDENT PRESS AND NEWS AGENCIES

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