On 15 February, Scotland’s First Minister Nicola Sturgeon announced she was resigning after eight years in the post. Like Jacinda Ardern, New Zealand’ Prime Minister, less than a month ago, Sturgeon blamed the brutality of political life for her resignation. Nicola Sturgeon has been an MSP (Member of the Scottish Parliament) since the first elections … Continue reading “Scottish First Minister Resigns”
On 19 January, New Zealand’s Prime Minister announced that not only would she not seek re-election this year, she was resigning with effect on 7 February. On 19 January, New Zealand’s Prime Minister announced that not only would she not seek re-election this year, she was resigning with effect on 7 February. Ms Ardern said … Continue reading “Jacinda Ardern Resigns as NZ Prime Minister”
New Zealand’s 17 October election was originally scheduled on a historically significant day: 19 September, the annual anniversary of the date in 1893 when New Zealand women became the first in the world to legally vote. It was postponed because of Covid but was historic anyway: the Labour party became the first in 24 years … Continue reading “New Zealand gives Jacinda Ardern and Labour a Landslide”
Governments, ministers and authorities around the world are asking their populations to make sacrifices in the fight to contain Covid-19. In New Zealand, the government and public-service leaders are showing that they really will share the efforts they are asking others to make. On 15 April, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announced that she, her ministers … Continue reading “Putting Your Money Where Your Mouth Is”
New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern gave birth to her first child, a girl, on 21 June, then shared the news with a photo on social media. The PM will now take six weeks maternity leave while her deputy steps in. At 37, Ardern is New Zealand’s youngest Prime Minister in 150 years, and she … Continue reading “How to Be a Modern Prime Minister”
It is one of the greatest mysteries of our time — why is New Zealand always being left off world maps? A new video tackles the issue. In a 2.5 minute video posted to Facebook around 10am on Wednesday 2 May 2018, New Zealand has launched a tourism campaign exploring this question that has bothered … Continue reading “New Zealand, Where Are You?”