Jacinda Ardern’s popularity revealed as the PM steps down, Fire crews respond to building fire overnight and prosecutors announce Alec Baldwin’s fate in the latest New Zealand Herald headlines. Video / NZ Herald
Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown has paid tribute to Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern’s time as leader, saying she led with strength, empathy and manaakitanga.
Brown is among a chorus of Pacific leaders who have sent their good wishes to Ardern after she announced yesterday she is stepping down from her position after six years on the job.
Brown said he was surprised and sad to hear the news.
He said he wanted to acknowledge her leadership, particularly during difficult times such as the Christchurch terror attack.
He said he was grateful for Ardern’s support during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown has acknowledged Jacinda Ardern's leadership and compassion. Photo / Dominic Godfrey / RNZ Pacific
“New Zealand’s own response was held up as a shining example of how to protect your people. New Zealand working with our country enabled us really to protect our people from Covid but secondly allowed us to quickly get back on our feet due to the measures that we did take early on,” he said.
“Her compassion and her strength of leadership is a legacy that I think she will leave as prime minister of New Zealand,” Brown said.
“New Zealand will lose its greatest asset, internationally for trade and for international credibility. We risk going backwards in health and education particularly when you consider a Luxon team or government,” he said.
An Auckland councillor said Ardern would leave behind an impressive legacy, particularly for her handling of Covid-19.
imho you were the best Prime Minister we’ve had not because you were one of the youngest or a mum or cool with the dj’ing or even coz of “be kind” but because in the worst time we’ve ever known in our generation of a worldwide pandemic you made sure we didn’t leave anyone behind pic.twitter.com/nePWQjytJT
Josephine Bartley said just like everyone else, she was “shocked” when the announcement was made.
Some of the criticism Ardern received during her tenure “crossed the line”, Bartley said.
“I think she’s done a really awesome job to save so many lives with the Covid response. You can criticise someone based on their policies, based on things they have done in terms of the job they do, but people just went overboard, and went there on personal attacks.”
Labour Party MPs now face a choice over who will replace her as leader ahead of the general election in October.
