The Mairehau Primary School pupil was so inspired by Ardern’s efforts during the Covid-19 crisis, he sent her a thank you card.
And he was elated when she personally wrote back.
“Thank you so much for taking the time to get in touch with me,” the prime minister responded.
“I’m sorry I’m not able to write you a longer letter – things are pretty busy just now, but your message has given me lots of energy to keep going.”
Jack - along with his classmates - was tasked with writing a thank you card to someone who had helped him during the pandemic.
He said Ardern’s comfort and leadership came to mind, which he aspires to emulate when he grows up to become a leader himself.
He stood up in front of 127 children and proudly showed off the letter, which he said he planned to frame and hang in his room.
His teacher Hayley Young said most of the children chose parents or grandparents, but Jack was the only one who thought of someone outside of his family.
“He’s a bright kid and thinks outside of the box.
"He thinks globally and is interested in humanitarian issues, the government, geography, and likes to go that extra mile about issues he feels passionate about.”
“We were very impressed, we all felt very proud of him.”
The purpose of the exercise was to instil the importance of celebrating the positives, especially in the first weeks back at school after the lockdown.
“Before we can address literacy or numeracy, we have to give them those basic concepts of what it is to be a good person – being thankful is a part of that,” said Young.
