New Zealander of the Year....... Jacinda Ardern and Ashley Bloomfield

21/4/2020

It is just under 4 weeks since our country moved into lockdown and in that time the world outside has changed drastically and the simplistic human behaviors that we took for granted like going to the beach, socializing with friends or getting our groceries, have all been altered. It has become a part of my daily routine to sit and watch the 1pm update with Jacinda and Ashley Bloomfield. Watching the numbers decline in NZ, while sadly seeing massive devastation in other countries around the world, especially in the USA and the UK.

Before we left school a key topic that was being covered in Yr7-9 either in Wānanga or Huramanu classes, was LEADERSHIP! When you ask students about people they see as leaders they will often automatically name sports stars, musicians and actors as the go too. However, I wonder if during this time our younger population, have taken on board the leadership which has been demonstrated daily by both Ashley and Jacinda. I have often watched in amazement as they both deliver the facts with such empathy and sincerity. They have lead from the front, making the tough decisions, knowing it would put pressure on our economy, raise unemployment and put our low income families and our most at risk, in an even more volatile position that what they currently are in. Doing it all with one goal in mind, to make our country safe again and to stomp out Covid-19.

Sitting back and watching other countries from around the world look upon our Prime Minister with envy, while Trump keeps telling people that he is not a doctor, but that people should just take a cold and flu tablet or that the media are all about making up fake news. Jacinda conducts herself with such poise and grace, not being rattled by the multitude or ridiculous questions asked daily and often repetitively, by our supposedly most qualified media journalists. I am often finding myself yelling at the tv during the press conference because of the barge of questions they yell at her and the unkind nature in which they treat her. I often wonder if she goes off stage and shakes her head at the stupidity of some of these people.  Jacinda Ardern I admire you and am grateful you are the one in charge of getting us through the other side of these crazy times and I hope that our young children will murmur your name from now one when asked who do you know that is a good leader.