“To others, I implore you,” Jacinda Ardern, said this morning. “Speak the names of those who were lost, not the man who took them. He may have sought notoriety, but we in New Zealand will give him nothing. Not even his name.”
The Prime Minister was addressing New Zealand’s parliament when she made an affecting speech this morning that has since reverberated around the world. Ardern began her speech with the Arabic greeting, “Al-Salaam Alaikum” – meaning “peace be upon you” – a sincere welcome show of solidarity. After 50 people were killed – and many more injured – at a Mosque in Christchurch last Friday, New Zealand has been at the centre of global discussions about violence, Islamophobia, the far right, racism and internet terrorism. Questions have been plenty, while solid answers remain sparse. For those in mourning, they will likely long continue.
And the days in the aftermath of the attack have been an unprecedented and terrifying task for the country’s leader, a 38-year-old woman elected just 17 months ago. Yet, Ardern delivered, and she didn’t miss a beat. Within three days, she had met with her cabinet to discuss imminent reforms to the gun laws governing New Zealand, to be announced ten days later. A book of national condolences she opened was signed with her name first. She spent her time following the crimes with victims and mourners and aid workers, alongside them at the most crucial of times. She has shown unwavering integrity and strength in her speeches and today vowed to lead by example. “One of the roles I never anticipated having and hoped never to have, is to voice the grief of a nation,” she said. “You will never hear me mention his name.”
Somehow, in the face of absolute terror, Jacinda Ardern has united New Zealand – and the rest of the world – to share in her strength. “This is what a leader looks like,” onlookers commented. “Grace. Dignity. Courage… Real leaders do exist.” Crisis magazine, tweeted. Ardern’s critics have almost completely quietened, and Muslim communities in New Zealand have said that they feel supported in their home all due to Ardern’s strength as a leader.
This isn’t the first time that Ardern has stood out on the world stage. She became the youngest ever female head of government when she took office in October 2017 and, in June 2018, became the world’s second elected head of government to give birth while in office. Later last year she was the first female head of government to attend the United Nations General Assembly meeting with her daughter present. She describes herself as a “social democrat”; she vocally and consistently supports the world’s youth; she pointedly calls for equality for women and for leaders to take responsibility for climate change.
Today, as she has all week, she stood for the public who elected her to government. And in doing so, she garnered admiration and respect from across the world. Leaders, they are saying, should watch, and learn.