Jacinda new zealand
Jacinda Ardern is the 40th Prime Minister of New Zealand, serving since October 2017. She is the youngest female head of government in the world and the first woman to lead New Zealand's Labour Party.
Early Life and Career:
Jacinda Kate Laurell Ardern was born on July 26, 1980, in Hamilton, New Zealand. She grew up in Morrinsville, a small town in the Waikato region. Ardern's mother, Laurell, was a police officer, and her father, Ross, was a supermarket manager. She has one younger half-sister, Louise.
Ardern attended Morrinsville College and later studied at the University of Waikato, where she earned a Bachelor of Communication Studies degree. She began her career in politics as a member of the Labour Party's youth wing, the Young Labour Party.
Political Career:
Ardern entered politics in 2008, when she was elected as a list MP for the Labour Party. She served as the party's spokesperson for youth affairs, justice, and child poverty reduction. In 2013, she became the party's spokesperson for social development and child poverty reduction.
In 2017, Ardern became the leader of the Labour Party, succeeding Andrew Little. She led the party to a surprise victory in the 2017 general election, winning 46% of the vote and 64 seats in the 120-seat Parliament. At 37 years old, she became the world's youngest female head of government.
As Prime Minister, Ardern has focused on issues such as:
- Child poverty reduction: Ardern has made reducing child poverty a key priority. She has introduced policies such as increasing the minimum wage, improving access to healthcare, and increasing funding for early childhood education.
- Climate change: Ardern has been a vocal advocate for climate action. She has set a target of reducing New Zealand's greenhouse gas emissions to net-zero by 2050 and has introduced policies to promote renewable energy and reduce carbon emissions.
- Mental health: Ardern has prioritized mental health, increasing funding for mental health services and introducing policies to reduce stigma around mental illness.
- Gun control: In response to the Christchurch mosque shootings in 2019, Ardern introduced sweeping gun control reforms, including a ban on semi-automatic weapons and a buyback scheme for existing firearms.
Personal Life:
Ardern is married to Clarke Gayford, a television presenter and musician. The couple has a daughter, Neve Te Aroha Ardern Gayford, born in 2018. Ardern is known for her down-to-earth personality and has been praised for her leadership style, which emphasizes empathy, compassion, and inclusivity.
Awards and Recognition:
Ardern has received numerous awards and recognition for her leadership and advocacy, including:
- Time Magazine's 100 Most Influential People in the World (2019)
- The New Zealand Order of Merit (2019)
- The Sydney Peace Prize (2018)
- The World Economic Forum's Young Global Leader (2018)
Overall, Jacinda Ardern is a highly respected and influential leader who has made a significant impact on New Zealand and the world. Her commitment to social justice, climate action, and mental health has inspired a new generation of leaders and has set a high standard for political leadership.