Leaders will be assessed by how they have reacted in trying situations. Our current prime minister, Jacinda Ardern, has had more than her fair share of opportunities to prove herself: getting enough votes to become prime minister just seven weeks from taking over the Labour Party leadership; her response to the 15 March 2019 terror attack and the subsequent Christchurch Call and strict gun laws; giving her Australian counterpart Scott Morrison a public dressing down over sending us their criminals. And now we have the COVID-19 crisis.
The way I judge the situation, our PM has made a very gutsy call of practically locking up our borders. Yes, you can still come here, but only if you go into self-isolation for a fortnight. I doubt that many other New Zealand politicians would have made that call and in fact, we currently have the toughest border restrictions in the world. I take a deep bow; that’s true leadership.
Life is still relatively normal in New Zealand. My mum was in touch this morning, reporting that Germany has virtually shut down:
Total standstill, ghostly calm, and no end in sight.
Inge Wilke (Axel’s mum) reporting on the situation in Germany
We are lucky to live in New Zealand. We are also lucky that we experience great leadership. It’s given us the best chance that we’ve got. Thank you, Jacinda Ardern.
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