In an article headlined: "New Zealand's Prime Minister may be the most effective leader on the planet", the magazine highlights Ardern's empathetic response to the crisis as a key driver of her popularity and our successful efforts towards eliminating the virus.
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Former Prime Minister Helen Clark was interviewed for the piece, saying Ardern "doesn't preach at them; she's standing with them".
"They may even think, 'well, I don't quite understand why [the government] did that, but I know she's got our back'. There's a high level of trust and confidence in her because of that empathy."
Clark goes on to praise Ardern as a "communicator" and claims: "This is the kind of crisis which will make or break leaders. And this will make Jacinda."
The article draws direct comparisons between Ardern and other world leaders, with Clark noting she differs from embattled US President Donald Trump.
"Trump does his briefings, but that's a different kind of show," Clark said. "On no occasion has Jacinda ever spun out and attacked a journalist who's asked a question."
While the article is largely effusive in its praise of Ardern's abilities as a leader, it does call into question her readiness to deal with the ongoing challenges presented by Covid-19.
Victoria University's Van Jackson told The Atlantic that he worries about how younger leaders will cope with the massive shock to global systems.
"Strategic decision-making and crisis decision-making are very different," he said.
"The world is going to be changed, largely for the worse, in the coming years. A great depression seems all but inevitable. China's strategic opportunism knows no bounds. Dictators everywhere are using the pandemic to solidify control of societies. Multilateral institutions aren't delivering as promised. Getting through this crisis intact is just one step in a longer process toward a brave new world."
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Comments
I wonder if they included the quote from our Finance Minster, saying it could take decades to recover from the economic damage, and that up to 200,00 kiwis could be out of work?!
But I guess wouldn't fit their narrative, right?!
It might be a false dichitomy. Seems like other countries tried to ignore the virus and bury their heads in the sand in the name of economy only to eventually resort to even longer stricter and more expensive lockdown.
Maybe long term consequences and side effects of the lockdown are worse than virus itself, only time will tell. But no democratic leader can afford to do business as usual while health system collapses and people die, this basically would mean that country turned into third world under their leadership i.e. total political bankruptcy
If they love her that much, they can have her.
Hopefully they can agree to a 2-3 day business delivery
Hmm, can't get a hospital built in Dunedin though can she!
As a Kiwi living in australia I am extremely amused and saddened by the comments of the uninformed locals.
Unemployment and economic damage will be the same the world over the big difference is the death toll. Just look at the US, they have a worst unemployment rate and they get limited if any dole and the health system is rubbish and the highest death rate in the world.
Whining about a 2-3 day business delivery is so petty when you consider that hundreds of thousands are dying.
It's true! I have seen the media say a nasty thing about her yet !!!
She must be absolutely perfect, just as Obama was.