Jacinda Ardern – Leading New Zealand through the Covid-19 Pandemic

Ardern had showcased her ability to manage a crisis effectively when an attack on a mosque in Christchurch left 51 dead in 2018. But, the Covid-19 crisis was a lot more challenging and any policy decision would impact the entire population and the livelihoods of people. Ardern decided to take action early and ‘go hard’. She was very clear in the steps needed to manage the crisis and was happy to take science-backed decisions. She ensured that there were regular casual conversations over Facebook Live during which she addressed the people on health and mental wellbeing and motivated them during the lockdown period. ..