future oil and gas exploration, increased paid parental leave, raised the minimum wage, and increased benefits for the most deprived New Zealanders. As the pandemic struck, the Prime Minister and her cabinet ministers took a 20 per cent pay cut for six months in 2020, in a show of solidarity with people who had lost their livelihoods owing to the health crisis.
As hundreds of thousands of people from different parts of the world carry out anti-racism and anti-government protests for weeks, the Kiwis have placed a high level of trust in the government and institutions and elected the most inclusive parliament, with more than half of the 64 seats won by the Labour Party being claimed are female candidates. It also includes 16 indigenous Maori MPs, the first MP of African origin, one MP of Indian origin and one of Sri Lankan origin.
With leaders from some of the most developed nations failing their people in these unprecedented times, the Kiwi leader stepped up to make the world better, and inspired others to do the same. Amid trade wars and geopolitical tensions which have created a sense of anxiety around the world, PM Arden’s strong and compassionate leadership is a glimmer of hope in this dreadful era for humanity.
