Former Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern becomes a lady as she receives a high award from New Zealand

June 5 () –

Former New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern received one of the country’s highest honors on Monday, becoming a Dame Grand Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit for her services to the country.

The prime minister’s office has stressed that Ardern, who became the youngest leader of the Labor Party at the age of 37, has faced the Christchurch terrorist attacks, advocating for a weapons ban; the COVID-19 pandemic, confirming “one of the lowest mortality rates in the Western world”; and, among other measures, reduced child poverty in the country.

The official mention has also indicated that the former head of government was included by Fortune magazine among the 50 best leaders in the world in 2021.

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

The politician has indicated that she is “incredibly honored”, despite the fact that she had “doubts about accepting this recognition”: “For me this is a way of saying 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”, he indicated, according to the radio station RNZ.

Ardern announced her resignation as head of government in January, calling elections for October 14, arguing that she had “gave everything” of herself to be prime minister, but that it had also “cost her a lot.” “I can’t and shouldn’t do the job unless I have a full tank plus a little bit in reserve for those unplanned and unexpected challenges that inevitably present themselves,” she stated.