SYDNEY: In recognition of her efforts for leading the country through the COVID-19 crisis, the terror attacks on two Christchurch mosques and the White Island volcanic eruption, former Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern was given on Monday one of the New Zealand’s top honours.
Ardern was named “Dame Grand Companion,” the second-highest honour in New Zealand, on King Charles’ birthday holiday celebrated by the country on June 5, and she made the coronation honours list for 2023. The awardee is usually chosen in New Zealand by the prime minister and then approved by the British monarch, the head of state.
New Zealand Prime Minister Chris Hipkins said Ardern was recognized for her service during some of the greatest challenges the country had faced in modern times. “Leading New Zealand’s response to the 2019 terrorist attacks and to the COVID-19 pandemic represented periods of intense challenge for our 40th prime minister, during which time I saw firsthand that her commitment to New Zealand remained absolute,” Hipkins said.
Ardern, who became the prime minister in 2017, resigned in January in a shock announcement, saying she had “no more in the tank” to lead New Zealand. Ardern said she felt “incredibly humbled” to receive the honour but was in “two minds” to accept it as the efforts for which she was getting recognized for “were about all of us rather than one individual.”
“But I have heard that said by so many kiwis who I have encouraged to accept an honor over the years,” Ardern said in a statement. “And so for me this a way to say 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.”
