10 Times NZ Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern Inspired Us All
In an image that summed up one of the darkest days in New Zealand's history, Jacinda Ardern's face spoke a thousand words - words that many were lost for. There was despair, there was sorrow, and there was a sense of overwhelming compassion.
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In that moment, the Prime Minister of New Zealand summed up an entire country's grief as she visited members of the Muslim community following a tragic terrorist attack on a Christchurch mosque, which claimed the lives of at least 50 people.
But there was something else that couldn't be mistaken in Jacinda's face - strength, emotive in its form, but physically apparent as she felt the pain of four million other New Zealanders. It showed something special, and something undeniable - here was a leader who truly reflected the values of the nation she represents. That in itself, is worth celebrating.
Indeed ever since the 38-year-old took on role of Prime Minster in October 2017, she has proved time and time again why she is worthy holding such an influential position in the political landscape.
Jacinda has always been a passionate advocate for women's rights. In fact, she famously made headlines for her staunch views when she told off a television host who said employers had a right to ask about a woman's plans for children.
She was quick to shut him down, telling him: "It is a woman's decision about when they choose to have children and it should not predetermine whether or not they have job opportunities."
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Being the ultimate example in practising exactly what she preaches, Jacinda announced soon afterwards that she was pregnant with her first child with partner Clarke Gayford. And did that stop her from going on to become one of New Zealand's most prominent, inspiring politicians? Absolutely not. And rightly so.
With a job description including, but by no means limited to attending various events, presenting stirring speeches, not to mention engaging in political debates with a view to helping an entire nation for the better, you'd barely believe the hard-working politician is also helping to raise a newborn baby. But for this brave brunette, it's all in a days work.
So, to celebrate this female powerhouse, we've rounded up 10 of her most inspiring moments:
As the city of Christchurch grieved following the harrowing events of March 15, 2019 where at least 50 people were killed in a mass shooting at a mosque, Jacinda was strong, supportive and spoke words the nation needed to hear: "They are us. The person who has perpetuated this violence against us is not."
The following day, images of Jacinda embracing members of the Muslim community in Christchurch swept the globe, with many applauding her show of solidarity. The images encapsulate everything the New Zealand leader is - compassionate, understanding, accepting, and strong.
"We will be here whenever you need, in the coming days, the coming weeks and the coming months," she told them. "New Zealand is a place that we cherish equally, for its inclusiveness, for its diversity and I will consider it my personal mission as Prime Minister to defend that so long as I have the privilege of holding this office."
Witnessing your country's darkest day would be one of the toughest things to endure, yet leader Jacinda brought things back to what everyone knew to be true: "This is not the New Zealand that any of us know."
Back in June 2018, Jacinda proved she was the ultimate inspiration to working women across the world, becoming the second woman in the world to give birth while in office.
And then, turning convention on its head, her partner Clarke Gayford became a full-time stay-at-home dad while Jacinda returned to work within two months after giving birth.
She may be the leader of a nation, but Jacinda proved she's also your regular new mum. Pictures of her bringing her young daughter Neve to a meeting of the United Nations General Assembly in New York in 2018 was case in point - and she made history while she was at it.
"If I could distill it down into one concept that we are pursuing in New Zealand it is simple and it is this. Kindness," she said at the time.
Appearing on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert not long after the meeting, Jacinda openly discussed how she was stopped for a chat while shopping for maternity bras and her penchant for wearing Spanx - which she admitted to wearing right there on the show!
Taking to her Instagram page to clear things up, Jacinda clarified: "To be fair, one layer was spanx and one layer was a pregnancy belly band. #Glamour".
The clothing says it all: Jacinda has never held back from being vocal about her beliefs in feminism and equality for all.
At just 37 years old when she was sworn into office in October 2017, Jacinda became the youngest ever female leader in the world. Not only that, she was also the youngest prime minister New Zealand had seen in 150 years. Quite a title!
While campaigning in early 2017, Jacinda came across one of her posters that had been vandalised. Instead of feeling sorry for herself, she poked fun of it on Instagram, with a caption that read: "Vivid. Really makes your eyes pop and horns glisten. #CampaignBeautyTips". A reminder to never let the haters bring you down in life.
She may be busy running a nation, but this powerhouse female makes sure to make time to support other women. She's pictured with the Kendra Cocksedge, the first woman to win New Zealand's Rugby Player of the Year. The PM says she "felt very proud to be there".
Jacinda is proof that you can still be yourself even when you're in a position of power. Besides taking her own photos for her Instagram account, she also posts personal snapshots that offer a glimpse into her daily life, such as this one with her cat, Paddles, who was named "First Cat" after Jacinda took office. Sadly, Paddles was killed in a car accident in November 2017.
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Text: Now To Love / Additional reporting: Elizabeth Liew