New Zealand’s progressive champion Jacinda Ardern wins second term as Prime Minister

New Zealand has once again elected progressive champion Jacinda Ardern as its prime minister.

Ardern’s victory comes after she has won widespread praise and support for her ambitious leadership on the climate crisis and science-based approach to the COVID-19 pandemic. She earned 49% of the vote and 64 of 120 parliamentary seats, marking the first time any party in New Zealand has won a large enough victory to be able to govern alone since 1966.

Since 2017, Ardern has served as one of the most progressive world leaders in history. In her first term, she banned all future offshore oil and gas exploration and committed the country to zero emissions by 2050. She also became the first world leader ever to go on maternity leave while in office. Under her watch, New Zealand has managed only 25 deaths and less than 2000 cases total of COVID-19.

In her second term, no longer hampered by her coalition with the New Zealand First party, Ardern will likely enjoy a greater ability to enact her vision. She has already promised to achieve 100% renewable energy by 2030.

One of the most progressive leaders in the world now has a strong mandate to take bold action on climate. What should she do?

Peter Schulte

Peter Schulte is the founder and editor of Kindling. Peter is also Senior Digital Engagement Associate for the Pacific Institute and the UN Global Compact's CEO Water Mandate, connecting businesses to sustainable water practices. Peter holds a B.S. in Conservation and Resource Studies and a B.A. in Comparative Literature from University of California, Berkeley, and an M.B.A. in Sustainable Systems from Pinchot University. He lives in Bellingham, WA, USA with his wife, son, and cat.