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“Worth the wait”: Jacinda Ardern ties the knot

<p dir="ltr">Jacinda Arden and her long-term partner Clarke Gayford have tied the knot, five years after getting engaged. </p> <p dir="ltr">The former New Zealand prime minister shared a series of loved-up photos from the big day, as she beamed from ear to ear as she embraced her new husband. </p> <p dir="ltr">Posting the photos to Instagram, she captioned the post, “13.01.24 Worth the wait”.</p> <p dir="ltr">Ardern, 43, and Gayford, 47, tied the knot at the Craggy Range vineyard in New Zealand’s Hawkes Bay region on Saturday, surrounded by their friends and family. </p> <p dir="ltr">The couple’s five-year-old daughter, Neve, accompanied her father down the aisle, wearing a dress made from her grandmother’s wedding dress.</p> <p dir="ltr">Jacinda wore a white halter neck gown by New Zealand designer Juliette Hogan, paired with a floor-length white veil and an all white bouquet. </p> <p dir="ltr">The wedding came after almost five years of engagement, with the former first couple originally planning to hold the ceremony in 2022 before the Covid pandemic forced the plans into disarray.</p> <p dir="ltr">“My wedding won’t be going ahead but I just join many other New Zealanders who have had an experience like that as a result of the pandemic,” she told reporters in January 2022, adding, “Such is life.”</p> <p dir="ltr">​​The couple began dating in 2014 after Gayford, a marine enthusiast and host of local fishing shows, contacted the then-Labour list MP about proposed legislation in 2013.</p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image credits: Instagram - Felicity Jean Weddings</em></p>

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Jacinda Ardern reveals major career move

<p>Jacinda Arden has revealed an exciting new venture following her departure as New Zealand’s prime minister.</p> <p>Ms Arden, 42, will be heading to Harvard University for a semester, where she plans to engage in "speaking, teaching, and learning”.</p> <p>She has now been appointed to fellowships at the elite US university in leadership and fighting online extremism.</p> <p>“I’m incredibly humbled to be invited to join Harvard University later this year,” she announced on Instagram.</p> <p>Ms Ardern has been named the 2023 Angelopoulos Global Public Leaders Fellow and a Hauser Leader in the Kennedy School’s Center for Public Leadership.</p> <p>She will also be a Knight Tech Governance Leadership Fellow at the Berkman Klein Center for Internet and Society, based at Harvard law School.</p> <p>She said that Harvard is an important partner as a special envoy to the Christchurch Call, a commitment she started with French President Emmanuel Macron to fight online extremism following the terrorist attack on two mosques in Christchurch in 2019.</p> <p>During that time she also joined the board of Prime William's conservation-minded Earthshot Prize.</p> <p>In 2022, she delivered the annual commencement speech to graduates, which has previously been delivered by world leaders and distinguished figures such as Winston Churchill, Angela Merkel and Oprah Winfrey.</p> <p>The Call is working with 120 governments worldwide to eliminate terrorist and violent extremist content online.</p> <p>“My semester there later this year will also be an opportunity to take up the first tech governance leadership fellowship at the Berkman Klien Center,” she wrote in her post.</p> <p>“Not only will this be a chance to work collaboratively with the center’s research community, but also work on the challenges around the growth of generative AI tools.”</p> <p>According to a Harvard statement, “she will study ways to improve content standards and platform accountability for extremist content online, and examine artificial intelligence governance and algorithmic harms.”</p> <p>The fellowships commence in Spring, which Ms Ardern noted would align with voting times for New Zealander.</p> <p>She said she hopes to share her experiences through future exchanges in New Zealand and abroad.</p> <p>As she continues the significant work she started as the world’s youngest female head of government, she said she will set aside time to learn while she’s enrolled in one of the world’s top-ranked universities.</p> <p>“While I’ll be gone for a semester (helpfully the one that falls during the NZ general election!),” she said.</p> <p>“I’ll be coming back at the end of the fellowships. After all, New Zealand is home!”</p> <p>Ms Ardern shocked the world when <a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/news/news/it-s-time-jacinda-ardern-announces-shock-resignation" target="_blank" rel="noopener">she announced in January</a> 2023 that she would not be seeking re-election.</p> <p>She stepped into the role of Labour leader seven weeks out from the 2017 general election after Andrew Little stepped down.</p> <p>Before she was elected to the top office she learned she was pregnant with her first child, which sparked debate surrounding her ability to lead the country with a newborn.</p> <p>She made international headlines during her first time when she was the first female leader to bring an infant into the UN General Assembly.</p> <p>While she delivered her speech, her long-term partner Clarke Gayford cradled three-month-old Neve.</p> <p>Ms Ardern and Mr Gayford are yet to announce a date for their wedding.</p> <p>The pair have been engaged since 2019 and were forced to cancel their wedding due to the pandemic.</p> <p>After she stepped down as New Zealand’s prime minister she was <a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/news/news/chris-hipkins-announced-as-next-prime-minister-of-new-zealand" target="_blank" rel="noopener">replaced by Chris Hipkins</a>.</p> <p><em>Image credit: Getty  </em></p>

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Jacinda Ardern delivers emotional farewell speech

<p dir="ltr">Jacinda Ardern stepped down from her position as New Zealand’s prime minister and delivered her final speech in parliament on Wednesday.</p> <p dir="ltr">In her final address to the country, Ardern reflected on the “privilege and responsibility” that comes with being prime minister, and shared both her political achievements and battles she faced during her career.</p> <p dir="ltr">“It was a cross between a sense of duty to steer a moving freight train... and being hit by one,” she described her first entry into politics.</p> <p dir="ltr">“And that's probably because my internal reluctance to lead was matched only by a huge sense of responsibility,” she added.</p> <p dir="ltr">She then shared the reasons why she got into politics in the first place, before reflecting on the events that have defined her legacy.</p> <p dir="ltr">“The reasons I came here … they’re all there in my maiden speech – climate change, child poverty, inequality. I am, after all, a conviction-based politician,” she said.</p> <p dir="ltr">In her speech, she also asked the parliament to “please take the politics out of climate change,” and mentioned that it is a “crisis” that is upon us.</p> <p dir="ltr">Ardern proceeded to reflect on her time as prime minister, where she faced many challenges including navigating natural disasters, the pandemic, and the Christchurch massacre, which had left her “bereft”.</p> <p dir="ltr">She added that during these series of events she found herself “in people’s lives during their most grief-stricken or traumatic moments.”</p> <p dir="ltr">Ardern’s voice was thick with emotion as she recalled meeting the survivors of the mosque terror attacks.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Having sadly seen our nation in horrific moments of grief, I've concluded that countries don't move on from tragedy, rather they become part of your psyche,” she said.</p> <p dir="ltr">Ardern ended her speech with the hope that leaders shouldn’t be afraid to be kind and sensitive, as they can also be hallmarks of good leadership.</p> <p dir="ltr">“I cannot determine what will define my time in this place, but I do hope I've demonstrated something else entirely - that you can be anxious, sensitive, kind and wear your heart on your sleeve,” she said.</p> <p dir="ltr">Ardern left to thunderous applause and a standing ovation, as members of the parliament sang traditional Māori songs.</p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image: Getty</em></p>

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Jacinda Ardern’s resignation: gender and the toll of strong, compassionate leadership

<p>“Uneasy is the head that wears the crown”, wrote Shakespeare, way back in the 1500s. It’s not a new idea that top-level leadership jobs are intensely <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1048984316300923">stressful</a> and pose a heavy toll. Extended periods of stress are known to put people at <a href="https://www.annualreviews.org/doi/abs/10.1146/annurev.psych.52.1.397">risk of burnout</a>.</p> <p>Yet probably few of us can ever grasp just how unrelentingly demanding and difficult leading a country actually is. Especially in times of crisis and with our modern media and online environment, every statement and every move a leader makes is subject to extensive scrutiny and commentary. </p> <p>Increasingly, a troubling feature of the commentary about New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has been its abusive, violent, sexist and misogynistic tenor.</p> <p>While she has not focused on this as a reason for her decision to <a href="https://theconversation.com/arderns-resignation-as-new-zealand-prime-minister-is-a-game-changer-for-the-2023-election-198149">resign yesterday</a>, being targeted in this way, and knowing <a href="https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/entertainment/2022/03/where-is-clarke-gayford-jacinda-ardern-laughs-off-conspiracy-theories-reveals-the-answer.html">her partner</a> and even <a href="https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/482761/the-hatred-and-vitriol-jacinda-ardern-endured-would-affect-anybody">her child</a> were also targeted, must surely have made an already difficult job so much more challenging.</p> <h2>Crises, kindness and courageous decisions</h2> <p>Crises have long been understood as the most intensive tests of a <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1048984322000649">leader’s skill and character</a>. They involve making weighty decisions, at times about matters that quite literally have life and death implications. Decisions have to be made at speed, but often with insufficient information to confidently predict the consequences of the choices made.</p> <p>Ardern’s premiership has thrown crisis after crisis her way. And time and time again, she has displayed a strength of character and <a href="https://www.taylorfrancis.com/chapters/edit/10.4324/9781003099109-10/leading-crisis-adaptive-leadership-jacinda-ardern-deidre-le-fevre">considerable leadership skills</a> in responding to them. </p> <p>Her handling of the Christchurch terror attacks won <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2019/03/18/new-zealands-prime-minister-wins-worldwide-praise-her-response-mosque-shootings/">global admiration</a> for her composure, compassion and decisive resolve to ensure such heinous acts could not be repeated here.</p> <p>Her response to the <a href="https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/white-island-eruption-how-good-is-ardern-world-praises-pm-for-disaster-response/4S5BZ6NCOWXN4R63HDIEV4KXVM/">Whakaari White Island eruption</a> garnered similar praise, showing yet again her intuitive grasp that a leader offering support to those caught up in such a distressing event actually makes a difference. That Ardern has sought to combine compassion and kindness with the courage to make tough decisions is a key feature of <a href="https://www.emerald.com/insight/content/doi/10.1108/978-1-80262-157-020221003/full/html">her style</a>.</p> <h2>Unrealistic expectations of a leader</h2> <p>Throughout the pandemic, Arden has repeatedly proved her willingness to make courageous decisions. Combined with her prowess at <a href="https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/1742715020929151">mobilising the public’s understanding</a> and support for the government’s COVID response, this was critical to the success of the elimination strategy. Many <a href="https://www.sciencemediacentre.co.nz/2022/03/21/two-years-since-nz-first-locked-down-expert-reaction/">lives and livelihoods have been saved</a> due to her leadership.</p> <p>When Delta and then Omicron emerged, Ardern <a href="https://theconversation.com/why-jacinda-arderns-clumsy-leadership-response-to-delta-could-still-be-the-right-approach-169926">sought to continually adapt</a> the government’s policies to a changing context. While tenacity and resilience may number among her many strengths, dogmatism is not one of her weaknesses. </p> <p>Of course not all decisions <a href="https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/health/coronavirus/300763211/ombudsmans-criticism-of-miq-virtual-lobby-doesnt-go-far-enough">proved to be optimal</a> – expecting them to be so would be wildly unrealistic. Some of her decisions have sparked a <a href="https://thespinoff.co.nz/summer-2022/04-01-2023/the-day-the-grounds-of-parliament-burned-2">strong negative response</a>. But it’s <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Thinking-Differently-About-Leadership-Critical/dp/1784716782">foolish to expect perfection from leaders</a>, and the job unavoidably means making tough calls not everyone will agree with.</p> <h2>Rise in sexist and mysogynistic abuse</h2> <p>No leader is omnipotent, especially in a democracy and in a globally interconnected world. </p> <p>The latest crisis Ardern has been grappling with – the cost of living – is in large measure <a href="https://edition.cnn.com/2022/09/21/economy/central-banks-inflation-global/index.html">driven by global forces</a> far beyond the control of any New Zealand prime minister. New Zealand’s situation is <a href="https://www.stuff.co.nz/business/129353834/think-inflation-is-biting-spare-a-thought-for-turkey">better than many other countries</a>, but unfortunately for Ardern this holds little sway for some people. </p> <p>The reality, then, is that her growing unpopularity has in part been rooted in people having unrealistic expectations of what leaders can and can’t actually do, and needing someone to blame. But there’s also no getting away from the fact that far too much of the criticism directed at her has been coloured by sexist and misogynistic attitudes. </p> <p>There’s a continuum in how this is expressed. It starts with one C word – <a href="https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/opinion/122658284/shes-not-a-doll-so-dont-call-the-prime-minister-cindy">Cindy</a> – which is a sexist attempt to belittle her authority and status as an adult woman who is the elected leader of our country. </p> <p>It ends with the other C word. Research by the <a href="https://thedisinfoproject.org/2022/11/29/dangerous-speech-misogyny-and-democracy/">Disinformation Project</a> shows its usage is enmeshed within a wider discourse that denigrates other aspects of her identity as a woman and extends to <a href="https://twitter.com/justinsight/status/1616144565433663488">fantasising about her rape and death</a>.</p> <p>This kind of behaviour is simply inexcusable. It should be to New Zealand’s eternal shame that Ardern has been subjected to this. It cannot be justified by arguing her policies have been controversial and she “deserves” this abuse: that line of reasoning simply replicates the defence long used by rapists and domestic abusers.</p> <p>Ardern is New Zealand’s third woman prime minister. The <a href="https://www.ceeol.com/search/article-detail?id=277628">glass ceiling</a> for that role is well and truly broken. We now also have <a href="https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/477290/women-will-have-equal-share-of-seats-in-parliament-with-soraya-peke-mason-s-swearing-in">equal representation of women</a> within parliament. But the sexist and misogynistic nature of so much of the criticism and abuse directed at Ardern also shows we are a very long way from having equal treatment of women in leadership.</p> <p><em>Image credits: Getty Images</em></p> <p><em>This article originally appeared on <a href="https://theconversation.com/jacinda-arderns-resignation-gender-and-the-toll-of-strong-compassionate-leadership-198152" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Conversation</a>. </em></p>

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Chris Hipkins announced as next Prime Minister of New Zealand

<p>Labour MP Chris Hipkins has been elected as New Zealand’s next prime minister after a caucus meeting in Wellington on Sunday. Hipkins was the sole nominee, and the 64-person vote - considered to be largely a formality - was unanimous.</p> <p>“As a team we will continue to provide strong, stable and focused leadership that New Zealanders expect from us,” Hipkins told reporters in a conference after the vote. </p> <p>He went on to announce that his government would turn their attention to a key election concern - helping families that were struggling through difficult economic times, in the wake of rising inflation and housing affordability concerns. On this, he noted, “you shouldn't have to be on a six-figure salary to buy a new house.”</p> <p>Hipkins has helped to steer the country through crises before, having played a crucial role in New Zealand’s COVID-19 response after being appointed as health minister in 2020, work that established him as a household name in New Zealand. </p> <p>He was first elected to parliament in 2008, and as of 2020 was Minister of Education, Minister for the Public Service, and COVID-19 Response Minister. However, to many around him he is known instead as “Chippy”. </p> <p>Hipkins has strong ties within his party, and was seen walking to Sunday’s vote with “very good friend” Jacinda Ardern. He praised her leadership, and like many before him, noted the inspiration she provided for women and girls everywhere. </p> <p>Australia’s own PM Anthony Albanese took to Twitter to congratulate Chris, and to share that he looks forward “to working with him as Prime Minister.”</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr" lang="en">A warm discussion this morning with incoming NZ Labour Leader Chris Hipkins. I congratulate him and look forward to working with him as Prime Minister. 🇦🇺🇳🇿</p> <p>— Anthony Albanese (@AlboMP) <a href="https://twitter.com/AlboMP/status/1616585939052265472?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 20, 2023</a></p></blockquote> <p>Treasurer of Australia Jim Chalmers echoed Albanese’s sentiments, telling <em>Sky News Australia</em>, “Chris Hipkins is someone of immense experience and depth and intelligence. He’s a very worthy successor to prime minister Ardern.”</p> <p>Labour MP Carmel Sepuloni was voted in as incoming deputy by the caucus. Sepuloni, who has Samoan and Tongan heritage through her mother, was said by Hipkins to become the first Pasifika person to become deputy prime minister. </p> <p>In a six part thread to Twitter, Sepuloni shared her gratitude for and commitment to her new role, as well as her enthusiasm at working alongside Hipkins, writing, “It’s hard to fathom the working class girl from Waitara can become the Deputy Prime Minister of New Zealand. I’m incredibly humbled that Chris Hipkins and my colleagues have put their faith in me to take up this important role.</p> <p>“I also acknowledge the significance of this for our Pacific community. I am proudly Samoan, Tongan and New Zealand European and represent generations of New Zealanders with mixed heritage.”</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr" lang="en"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/THREAD?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#THREAD</a>: 1/6 It’s hard to fathom the working class girl from Waitara can become the Deputy Prime Minister of New Zealand. I’m incredibly humbled that <a href="https://twitter.com/chrishipkins?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@chrishipkins</a> and my colleagues have put their faith in me to take up this important role. ⬇️ <a href="https://t.co/uGPCCZDpM4">pic.twitter.com/uGPCCZDpM4</a></p> <p>— Carmel Sepuloni (@CarmelSepuloni) <a href="https://twitter.com/CarmelSepuloni/status/1617011240731283456?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 22, 2023</a></p></blockquote> <p>Hipkins’ full Cabinet has not yet been announced, but he has stated that he intends to keep former deputy prime minister, Grant Robertson, on in the role of finance minister. </p> <p>It is expected that Hipkins will be sworn in as the country’s 41st prime minister on Wednesday.</p> <p><em>Image: Getty Images</em></p>

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“It’s time”: Jacinda Ardern announces shock resignation

<p>New Zealand’s prime minister Jacinda Ardern has announced she will be stepping down from her position.</p> <p>Ardern confessed that she “no longer had enough in the tank to do it [her role] justice”, and confirmed a national election for October 14th. While her term will conclude no later than February 7th, she will continue on as an MP until the election. </p> <p>Jacinda has served as the 40th prime minister of New Zealand since 2017, when she made history by becoming the world’s youngest female head of government at 37 years old, and is a member of the Labour Party. </p> <p>Of her decision to resign, she stated, “I’m leaving, because with such a privileged role comes responsibility. The responsibility to know when you are the right person to lead and also when you are not.”</p> <p>“I don’t want to leave the impression that the adversity you face in politics is the reason that people exit. Yes, it does have an impact. We are humans after all, but that was not the basis of my decision,” she went on to explain. </p> <p>She noted that she has her family’s support, and looks forward to spending more time with them. Jacinda and her partner, Clarke Gayford, welcomed their first child, Neve, in 2018. In her address, she told them, “to Neve: mum is looking forward to being there when you start school this year. And to Clarke – let’s finally get married.”</p> <p>Her announcement comes in a tight election year for the Labour party, but she is confident in their victory, and stressed that the polls were not the driving force behind her decision, “I’m not leaving because I believe we can’t win the election, but because I believe we can and will, and we need a fresh set of shoulders for that challenge.” </p> <p>Australia’s prime minister, Anthony Albanese, took to Twitter to share his respect for Jacinda after the news broke, writing, “Jacinda Ardern has shown the world how to lead with intellect and strength … Jacinda has been a fierce advocate for New Zealand, an inspiration to so many and a great friend to me.”</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr" lang="en">Jacinda Ardern has shown the world how to lead with intellect and strength.</p> <p>She has demonstrated that empathy and insight are powerful leadership qualities. </p> <p>Jacinda has been a fierce advocate for New Zealand, an inspiration to so many and a great friend to me. <a href="https://t.co/QJ64mNCJMI">pic.twitter.com/QJ64mNCJMI</a></p> <p>— Anthony Albanese (@AlboMP) <a href="https://twitter.com/AlboMP/status/1615871202580639744?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 19, 2023</a></p></blockquote> <p>Albanese went on to add that he looks forward “to working with the next Prime Minister of New Zealand,” and that he wishes Jacinda and her family well in this next chapter of their lives. </p> <p>He cited her “powerful leadership qualities” in her empathy and her insight, both demonstrated by Jacinda herself when she admitted that she has always worked with and relied on her team, and has not led on her own. She asked only that people remember her “as someone who always tried to be kind.”</p> <p>“I hope I leave New Zealanders with a belief that you can be kind, but strong, empathetic but decisive, optimistic but focused. And that you can be your own kind of leader – one who knows when it’s time to go,” she added. </p> <p>Ardern has faced many challenges over her five and a half years in the role - from natural disasters to an international pandemic. Of the experience, she reflected, “it’s one thing to lead your country through peace time, it’s another to lead them through crisis. I had the privilege of being alongside NZ in a crisis and they placed their faith in me.”</p> <p><em>Images: Getty Images</em></p>

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Jacinda Ardern distances herself from Harry and Meghan's new documentary

<p>Jacinda Ardern has released a statement distancing herself from Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's new documentary, saying there was "no communication" with the royal couple.</p> <p>The New Zealand Prime Minister is one of several influential figures appearing in the new series, titled <em>Live to Lead</em>, which features seven world leaders and advocates discussing their work.</p> <p>In a trailer released for the series, which airs on December 31st, Ardern is seen smiling for a press pack and an excerpt of a speech, in which she says, "As leaders we have the keys to create a sense of security and a sense of hope."</p> <p>Harry and Meghan have served as executive producers and the series has been co-produced with the Nelson Mandela foundation.</p> <p>Ardern's office has since released a statement regarding the series, claiming the leader had "no communication" with the Duke and Duchess of Sussex for the series, and the footage used is from an interview three years ago.</p> <p>The statement read, "In early March 2019 the prime minister was approached by the Mandela Foundation to participate in a project to develop accessible resources on key attributes of leadership targeted at aspiring young leaders around the world, based off a one-hour interview."</p> <p>"Originally we were advised the outputs would be printed and digital books, short films and audiobooks."</p> <p>"The interview was conducted on November 8, 2019. In March 2020, a short book entitled Jacinda Ardern (I Know This to be True) was published based on the interview."</p> <p>The statement continued, "In March 2021 the Nelson Mandela Foundation advised the prime minister's office they had secured an agreement with Netflix to broadcast the series of interviews, including the 2019 interview with the prime minister."</p> <p> </p> <p>"In May this year the prime minister's office was notified that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex would introduce the series; noting this was nearly two and a half years after the interview had been recorded and permission for its use by the Mandela Foundation had already been provided."</p> <p>"All communication throughout has been with the foundation (there has been no communications with the Duke and Duchess of Sussex regarding the project)."</p> <p>News of a new Netflix series by Harry and Meghan came as a surprise, with their divisive docuseries <em>Harry &amp; Meghan</em> having just recently aired to a mixed reception. </p> <p>Also featured in the upcoming series are Ruth Bader Ginsburg who died on September 18, 2020, Gloria Steinem and Greta Thunberg.</p> <p><em>Image credits: Getty Images </em></p>

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Woman arrested after sword attack on Jacinda Ardern’s office

<p dir="ltr">Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern's electoral office in Auckland was damaged and staff evacuated after the front door was smashed and a sword was found lying nearby.</p> <p dir="ltr">Emergency services arrived at the office in Morningside shortly after 8 am on Thursday, with what appeared to be a samurai sword photographed on the ground outside.</p> <p dir="ltr">A neighbour, who wished to not be named, said he saw someone walking down the road towards the office and smashing the doors with an implement, as reported by <em><a href="https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/300721972/woman-arrested-after-prime-minister-jacinda-arderns-auckland-electoral-office-damaged" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Stuff</a>.</em></p> <p dir="ltr">He said he saw the person throw something through the hole in the door, with smoke coming from the building shortly after.</p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Stuff </em>also reported receiving an email from someone claiming responsibility for the incident at 9.03am.</p> <p dir="ltr">“At 8.20 this morning I smashed a hole in her electoral office door and dropped the bomb in [sic],” the email said.</p> <p dir="ltr">The <em><a href="https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/woman-arrested-after-sword-attack-on-prime-minister-jacinda-arderns-electorate-office/B6RITWFWPLQKD7VGYPLKXB5ZEA/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">NZ Herald</a></em> reported receiving a call to their newsroom on Thursday morning from a woman who claimed she used an interlocking sword to smash the window ten times before shoving a smoke bomb in the office.</p> <p dir="ltr">She said she had long-standing grievances with the Prime Minister's office and government departments in relation to the "palming off" of health and living issues.</p> <p dir="ltr">The woman also claimed she warned staff before the incident.</p> <p dir="ltr">A journalist at the scene also reported seeing smoke and heard firefighters warning the owner of a nearby shop to not touch “the machete handle”.</p> <p dir="ltr">Four fire trucks attended the scene and plain-clothed police were seen placing the blade into an evidence bag.</p> <p dir="ltr">"No injuries have been reported and the building was unoccupied at the time," police said.</p> <p dir="ltr">"A scene examination will be conducted and inquiries remain ongoing."</p> <p dir="ltr">Prior to the attack, CCTV footage captured a person holding a long object and walking towards the office, before walking in the opposite direction a short while later without the object.</p> <p dir="ltr">Police have since arrested a 57-year-old woman and are not seeking anyone else in relation to the incident.</p> <p dir="ltr">"The woman is currently assisting Police with our inquiries into the matter and we are not currently seeking anyone else," a police spokesperson said.</p> <p dir="ltr">Ms Ardern is currently in Antarctica for the 57th anniversary of Scott Base, and a spokesperson said the prime minister would not comment on the arrest as it is now a police matter.</p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image: Stuff</em></p>

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Jacinda Ardern slammed for “shocking” gift to Joe Biden

<p dir="ltr">A gift the New Zealand Prime Minister gave to US President Joe Biden has been criticised by environmentalists who say she showed a “lack of care” in her “appalling” gift choice.</p> <p dir="ltr">Ms Ardern gave Mr Biden a swamp kauri bowl, made from glazed timber harvested from kauri trees commonly found in wetlands and culturally significant sites in the country’s North Island.</p> <p dir="ltr">Fiona Furrell, the chair of the Northland Environmental Protection Society criticised the “faux pas”, saying Ms Ardern shouldn’t have given a gift that promoted the exchange of indigenous plants and a process that harms the ecosystem.</p> <p dir="ltr">“To us, swamp kauri, of all things for a gift to America, is really not on. It's shocking after all the work we've gone through to try and protect these wetlands that produce the swamp kauri,” chair Fiona Furrell told <em><a href="https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/471281/environmentalists-mana-whenua-criticise-pm-s-appalling-gift-to-us-president" target="_blank" rel="noopener">RNZ</a></em>.</p> <p dir="ltr">The milling of kauri timber often damages or destroys the peat swamps where they are buried, often for up to 60,000 years, which prompted the Supreme Court of New Zealand to restrict what was considered a legal export of the timber in 2018.</p> <p dir="ltr">According to the ruling, swamp kauri items must be a product in itself, in its final or kitset form, and ready to be used or installed into a larger structure.</p> <p><span id="docs-internal-guid-42fc494e-7fff-0b8e-9157-735dd9f2115a"></span></p> <p dir="ltr">However, Ms Ardern’s office confirmed the gifted kauri bowl was bought from Nelson Parker, who was investigated for exporting wood products to China and was found to have likely broken the Forest Act for exporting a large kauri log arrangement and calling it art.</p> <p dir="ltr"><img src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/2022/07/jacinda-ardern-gift1.jpg" alt="" width="1280" height="720" /></p> <p dir="ltr"><em>A pamphlet of swamp kauri products from Nelson Parker, including bowls. Image: RNZ</em></p> <p dir="ltr">Mr Parker wasn’t prosecuted because the manufacturer was originally told the kauri was compliant, even though little work had been done to change it from being raw wood.</p> <p dir="ltr">Ms Furrell said the Kiwi PM should have done more “investigating” before choosing such a polarising gift.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Any use of swamp kauri that is featured by our government, therefore puts our wetlands at risk, because people will want more swamp kauri now,” Furrell said.</p> <p dir="ltr">“He [Biden] could make the decision himself. Perhaps it could be returned to New Zealand.”</p> <p dir="ltr">Mr Parker has defended Ms Ardern’s decision, claiming that anyone who questioned her gift choice was a “parasite”.</p> <p dir="ltr">“To think that people, somebody, can out of the goodness of their heart give a gift to somebody and then somebody comes in behind and says, 'Well that's wrong, it's illegal, it's immoral' or whatever they say. To me that shows you the quality of the people actually,” he said.</p> <p dir="ltr">“To be quite blunt, these people, they're probably listed as zero in my opinion, as far as I'm concerned.</p> <p dir="ltr">“I can pretty well describe these people to you, they probably don't do anything. They're parasites. As far as I'm concerned, if they want to meddle in what we do, well, then it's not a wise thing to do.”</p> <p dir="ltr"><span id="docs-internal-guid-eb42abf8-7fff-60b9-4bce-64e6ccdd4fe6"></span></p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image: @jacindaardern (Instagram)</em></p>

Travel Trouble

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Jacinda Ardern called out for maskless photo

<p dir="ltr">Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has come under fire after she was photographed with a crowd of over 100 people, mostly unmasked, days after the government began encouraging Kiwis to return to wearing face masks.</p> <p dir="ltr">The photo of Ms Ardern, alongside Governor-General Dame Cindy Kiro, several MPs, and 120 youth parliamentarians, was shared across the PM’s social media profiles as part of the government’s Youth Parliament events, while other photos showed attendees wearing masks.</p> <p><span id="docs-internal-guid-075df4e6-7fff-6096-da0f-5661c9825450"></span></p> <p dir="ltr">A spokesperson for the Prime Minister said she and others in the photo in question had been asked to remove their masks at the photographer’s request.</p> <blockquote class="instagram-media" style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/CgLS3YPv3zZ/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"> </div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"> <div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style="width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"> </div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CgLS3YPv3zZ/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Jacinda Ardern (@jacindaardern)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p dir="ltr">“Every few years, politicians in New Zealand are replaced by young people. It’s called Youth Parliament, and involves everything that parliament usually entails - select committees, question time, press conferences and a general debate - except with young people taking over our roles,” Ms Ardern captioned the photos.</p> <p dir="ltr">“It’s such a fantastic programme, and always leaves me with great hope. Not because these are our ‘leaders of tomorrow’, but because these young people are already out there being leaders in their own right now. So thanks Youth Parliament 2022, for letting me be a part of your day today.”</p> <p dir="ltr">The events and unmasked photo come a week after the government announced a push to make Rapid Antigen Tests (RATs) and masks more accessible in a bid to curb COVID-19 cases across the country.</p> <p dir="ltr">Otago University epidemiologist, Professor Michael Baker, said he couldn’t comment on whether masks were used during other parts of the day - despite there being photos showing otherwise on Ms Ardern’s social media - but that it was disappointing to see “leaders not leading by example”.</p> <p dir="ltr">"There is an added responsibility for our leaders to wear masks when being photographed or in public settings to lead by example, this was a missed opportunity to normalise mask-use," Professor Baker said.</p> <p dir="ltr"><span id="docs-internal-guid-670958df-7fff-7ea5-4d37-a9180524824e"></span></p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image: @jacindaardern (Instagram)</em></p>

Caring

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Jacinda Ardern tackles awkward popularity question

<p dir="ltr">Jacinda Ardern has faced an awkward moment on Australian television, after ABC’s 7.30 host Sarah Ferguson asked what it’s like to be more popular abroad than at home.</p> <p dir="ltr">Though the New Zealand Prime Minister is quite a popular figure overseas, she faces growing voter dissatisfaction and has been criticised for the strict COVID-19 elimination policies her government introduced during the initial stages of the pandemic.</p> <p dir="ltr">Ms Ardern has been in Australia on a trade and tourism mission, joining Anthony Albanese for the Australian Leadership Forum in Sydney on Thursday, where they discussed everything from climate change to trans-Tasman trade.</p> <p dir="ltr">She was then interviewed on Thursday night’s episode of the ABC show, where she was quizzed about her experience being a global celebrity.</p> <p dir="ltr">“How does it feel to be more popular abroad than at home?” Ferguson asked.</p> <p><span id="docs-internal-guid-16774397-7fff-60a5-75b1-be390a867887"></span></p> <p dir="ltr">“My total focus is at home. That’s what matters to me,” Ms Ardern replied.</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-conversation="none"> <p dir="ltr" lang="en">"All I do is magnify the Kiwi spirit." - <a href="https://twitter.com/FergusonNews?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@FergusonNews</a> asks New Zealand Prime Minister <a href="https://twitter.com/jacindaardern?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@jacindaardern</a> how she feels about being a global celebrity. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/abc730?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#abc730</a> <a href="https://t.co/JjvkGe2pBK">pic.twitter.com/JjvkGe2pBK</a></p> <p>— abc730 (@abc730) <a href="https://twitter.com/abc730/status/1544980367051870208?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 7, 2022</a></p></blockquote> <p dir="ltr">Earlier in the interview, Ferguson remarked it was unusual for the leader of a small Pacific country to become an “international celebrity”, to which Ms Ardern said she wouldn’t think about herself in those terms.</p> <p dir="ltr">“I think the rest of the world would,” Ferguson replied.</p> <p dir="ltr">“I guess, gosh, that would be for them,” Ms Ardern said.</p> <p dir="ltr">“For me, I will forever, first and foremost be the prime minister of New Zealand, and my focus is totally on our nation.</p> <p dir="ltr">“If by virtue of just doing that job to the very best of my ability, there is some interest in what New Zealand does and how we do it - then I will always reflect back to the fact that all I do is magnify the Kiwi spirit.”</p> <p dir="ltr">When Ferguson suggested that Ms Ardern had been able to take advantage of social media and use it to boost her “celebrity” status more instinctively than previous leaders, Ms Ardern replied that besides leading New Zealand in the best way she can, she felt she had a job to prove to the public that politicians are “very human”.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Ultimately, we want people to be attracted to politics - we want people to want to do the job,” she said.</p> <p dir="ltr">“If we give this air that you have to be completely ironclad and almost so resilient as to not to be human, people won’t see themselves wanting to enter the fray.”</p> <p dir="ltr"><span id="docs-internal-guid-a70fb51b-7fff-9bc1-f9fa-668414e6858d"></span></p> <p dir="ltr">Despite the tension of the interview, Ms Ardern’s trip to Australia has appeared to be mostly positive.</p> <blockquote class="instagram-media" style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/Cfphg9EvwgC/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"> </div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"> <div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style="width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"> </div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/Cfphg9EvwgC/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Jacinda Ardern (@jacindaardern)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p dir="ltr">The Kiwi PM was the first world leader to meet with Mr Albanese in Australia last month, with the two former DJ’s exchanging band t-shirts and vinyl records.</p> <p dir="ltr">On her latest trip, Ms Ardern also met with NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet earlier on Thursday at Parliament House, and with Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews on Tuesday.</p> <p dir="ltr">Ms Ardern and Mr Andrews are said to have discussed climate change, mental health and infrastructure, vowing to stay in touch.</p> <p dir="ltr">With both adopting similar hardline strategies during the COVID-19 pandemic, it is understood that Ms Ardern had more contact with Mr Andrews than any other Australian leader during the pandemic.</p> <p dir="ltr"><span id="docs-internal-guid-26389da5-7fff-b8db-f373-f31774d985e2"></span></p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image: ABC</em></p>

Travel Trouble

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“Tips welcome”: Jacinda Ardern asks for help for relatable parenting experience

<p dir="ltr">Parenting is a challenging task that even New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern struggles with - as showcased in a recent post from the PM.</p> <p dir="ltr">Ardern took to social media to share the relatable experience of being up multiple times in the night with a child who refuses to sleep.</p> <p><span id="docs-internal-guid-ed6b6c75-7fff-7167-df9b-fc08222c26ae"></span></p> <p dir="ltr">"In the office kitchen making the strongest tea possible pre my morning media round and wondering how many other parents have a 3 year old that suddenly gets up ALL THROUGH THE NIGHT! Tips welcome," the Prime Minister captioned a selfie shared on her Instagram Stories on Monday morning.</p> <p dir="ltr"><img src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/2022/06/jacinda35.jpg" alt="" width="992" height="1762" /></p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image: @jacindaardern (Instagram)</em></p> <p dir="ltr">Ms Ardern shares three-year-old Neve with her partner, Clarke Gayford.</p> <p dir="ltr">It isn’t the first time Ms Ardern has shared the realities of parenting either - particularly when it comes to kids and bedtimes.</p> <p dir="ltr">Neve made an off-camera appearance on one of the Prime Minister’s live Facebook videos <a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/lifestyle/family-pets/bedtime-fail-jacinda-arden-interrupted-during-live-address" target="_blank" rel="noopener">last November</a>, interrupting her mum’s update on the country’s Covid response.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Mummy,” a tiny voice said in the background of the clip.</p> <p dir="ltr">“You’re meant to be in bed darling,” Ms Ardern said, turning away from the camera to address the little girl.</p> <p dir="ltr">“It’s bedtime darling, pop back to bed, I’ll come and see you in a second.”</p> <p dir="ltr">Luckily, Ms Ardern’s mum Laurell Ardern came to the rescue, ushering her granddaughter back to bed.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Well, that was a bedtime fail wasn’t it?” Ms Ardern joked to the camera.</p> <p dir="ltr"><span id="docs-internal-guid-ff7ae814-7fff-a312-8a9f-24f8d5f1b711"></span></p> <p dir="ltr">The most recent antics have generated plenty of responses on social media, with fellow parents and her supporters praising her.</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr" lang="en">The Prime Minister opening asking for toddler parenting tips is my kind of Prime Minister. </p> <p>There's something to be said for leadership sharing a human connection, and <a href="https://twitter.com/jacindaardern?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@jacindaardern</a> does it naturally 🇳🇿💙 <a href="https://t.co/TdEZHiO6BL">pic.twitter.com/TdEZHiO6BL</a></p> <p>— Geoff Wilson (@geoffwilsonHCD) <a href="https://twitter.com/geoffwilsonHCD/status/1538742469491232769?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 20, 2022</a></p></blockquote> <p dir="ltr">The Prime Minister (openly) asking for toddler parenting tips is my kind of Prime Minister,” one person tweeted.</p> <p dir="ltr">“There’s something to be said for leadership sharing a human connection, and @jacindaardern does it naturally.”</p> <p dir="ltr">“No idea but I have a two year old doing the same,” a fellow parent commented.</p> <p dir="ltr"><span id="docs-internal-guid-23f56747-7fff-c13f-60bf-b634faa48ead"></span></p> <p dir="ltr">“Isn’t it Neve’s birthday tomorrow? Probably excitement,” another theorised.</p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image: @jacindaardern (Instagram)</em></p>

Family & Pets

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Threats against Jacinda Ardern on the rise

<p dir="ltr">The number of threats levelled against New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has surged in recent years, with those requiring police involvement nearly tripling since 2019.</p> <p dir="ltr">According to data shared with <em><a href="https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/politics/2022/06/threats-against-prime-minister-jacinda-ardern-involving-police-almost-triple-in-three-years.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Newshub</a></em> under the Official Information Act, police have dealt with 50 threats targeting Ms Ardern in 2021, in comparison to just 18 in 2019 and 32 in 2020.</p> <p dir="ltr">A combination of anti-COVID-19 vaccine and anti-vaccine-mandate sentiment, as well as gun reform in the wake of the 2019 Christchurfch Mosque terror attack are the main drivers, according to the data.</p> <p dir="ltr">“My job is to make tough calls that not everyone likes,” Ms Ardern told television show <em>AM</em>.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Now that - never ever - is a reason for anyone in a leadership position to face threats and I don’t want to trivialise it by saying it comes with the job. But unfortunately, in recent times, that’s increasingly been the case.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Does it change what I do or how I do it? No.”</p> <p dir="ltr">As a result of the threats, the PM and her office have been afforded additional protection in recent months, as reported by several New Zealand outlets.</p> <p dir="ltr">It comes after anti-vaccination groups occupied the lawns and streets outside Parliament, with a number of protestors calling for the public trial and execution of Ms Ardern and others involved in the vaccination effort.</p> <p dir="ltr">Some threats against the Prime Minister have emerged via Telegram, the encrypted social media platform frequently used by conspiracy theorists and Nazi sympathisers, including one from Richard Trevor Sivell, <a href="https://oversixty.com.au/finance/legal/man-who-threatened-to-kill-jacinda-ardern-causes-stir-in-court">who was charged with threatening to kill</a> Ms Ardern in April.</p> <p><span id="docs-internal-guid-49da36b9-7fff-4eb6-8aa5-6cad31ce6d4c"></span></p> <p dir="ltr">“They are going to die. We are not going to allow them to share this world with us anymore,” Mr Sivell said in an audio message posted to the Counterspin channel on Telegram. “Same as Jacinda. She is going to die. Execute these motherf***ers. I look forward to hearing their necks snap.”</p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image: Getty Images</em></p>

Legal

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Karl Stefanovic rejected by Jacinda Ardern

<p dir="ltr">Jacinda Ardern has rejected Karl Stefanovic’s proposal to be appointed as an unofficial Australian. </p> <p dir="ltr">The New Zealand Prime Minister appeared on <em>The Today Show</em> after meeting with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese. </p> <p dir="ltr">The pair met up to discuss what the countries have in common and on how to improve their migration policies. </p> <p dir="ltr">Karl then suggested that Ms Ardern could one day become an Australian, to which she immediately responded with a rejection. </p> <p dir="ltr">"We love welcoming Kiwis, especially claiming the good ones as our own," Karl said.</p> <p dir="ltr">"No, there is absolutely no prospect of that ever happening, thank you," Ms Ardern swiftly</p> <p dir="ltr">"That's the firmest answer we've had this morning, you don't want to think about it?" Karl asked.</p> <p dir="ltr">"It's a hard no, but thank you though,” she said ending the conversation. </p> <p dir="ltr">It’s no secret Australia likes to claim some New Zealanders as their own be it Russell Crowe or Keith Urban. </p> <p dir="ltr">Ms Ardern was the first world leader to be invited to Australia since Mr Albanese was sworn in as Prime Minister. </p> <p dir="ltr">The pair discussed the trans-Tasman relationship and are looking forward to creating more opportunities for citizens of each country. </p> <p dir="ltr">"The prime minister and I are determined to take trans-Tasman relations to a new level - a new level of cooperation in the mutual interests of both of our nations," Mr Albanese said.</p> <p dir="ltr">"What that means is new jobs, new growth, new opportunities to co-operate."</p> <p dir="ltr">Ms Ardern welcomed the ideas and said it was great working so closely with Australia. </p> <p dir="ltr">"There are no two countries that I can think of that have a closer relationship than ours and when I say that we are family, I mean it very sincerely," she said.</p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Images: The Today Show</em></p>

TV

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Jacinda Ardern welcomed as “good friend” by Joe Biden

<p dir="ltr">New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has left talks with US President Joe Biden on a positive note, saying the interaction pointed to the “warmth” in their relationship as political leaders.</p> <p dir="ltr">Ms Ardern was initially scheduled to meet with Mr Biden for one hour during her ongoing US tour, but the pair continued to talk for another 30 minutes, as reported by <em><a href="https://www.news.com.au/finance/work/leaders/jacinda-ardern-wows-us-president-joe-biden-in-white-house-meeting/news-story/a05ab88bfe0e2bfcc93a29f337db4684" target="_blank" rel="noopener">news.com.au</a></em>.</p> <p dir="ltr">“I think that is a demonstration of the warmth in our relationship,” Ms Ardern said after the meeting.</p> <p dir="ltr">Mr Biden welcomed Ms Ardern as a “good friend”, citing the last time they met at the launch of the Indo-Pacific Framework and said: “We need your guidance”.</p> <p dir="ltr">“You understand that your leadership has taken on a critical role in this global stage - and it really has,” Mr Biden said.</p> <p dir="ltr">The pair also discussed gun control, online extremism, Ukraine, climate change, and the growing influence of China in the Pacific, with the last issue becoming the main focus as the US attempts to bolster its presence in the region.</p> <p><span id="docs-internal-guid-8c909d5e-7fff-d3f9-ef5f-8e1a34bb0e44"></span></p> <p dir="ltr">“We are in an incredibly difficult international environment,” Ms Ardern said.</p> <blockquote class="instagram-media" style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/CeP0hflvMcD/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"> </div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"> <div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style="width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"> </div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CeP0hflvMcD/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Jacinda Ardern (@jacindaardern)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p dir="ltr">According to a senior administration official, the leaders had a “very warm” and “direct” conversation, as the Biden administration looks to step up its cooperation to support the Pacific Island states.</p> <p dir="ltr">“The President and the Prime Minister met for well over an hour,” the official said.</p> <p dir="ltr">“The conversation was very warm, very direct, and there was a great understanding between the two of them, as you would expect.</p> <p dir="ltr">“And there really was discussion about the shared vision for the Indo-Pacific and the importance, in particular, of stepping up engagement with the Pacific Island states.”</p> <p dir="ltr">In a joint statement after the meeting, both leaders expressed their concern about the security agreement between the People’s Republic of China and the Solomon Islands, which also caused a stir in Australia in April.</p> <p dir="ltr">“In particular, the United States and New Zealand share a concern that the establishment of a persistent military presence in the Pacific by a state that does not share our values or security interests would fundamentally alter the strategic balance of the region and pose national-security concerns to both countries,” the statement read.</p> <p dir="ltr">“A freer and more open Indo-Pacific depends on preserving the international rules-based order in the maritime domain.</p> <p dir="ltr">“To that end, we reaffirm our support for freedom of navigation and overflight, in the South China Sea and beyond, in accordance with the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).</p> <p dir="ltr">“We oppose unlawful maritime claims and activities in the South China Sea that run counter to the rules-based international order, particularly UNCLOS.</p> <p dir="ltr">“We reiterate our grave concerns regarding the human-rights violations in Xinjiang, and the erosion of rights and freedoms in Hong Kong, which undermines the high degree of autonomy enshrined in the Sino-British Joint Declaration and the Basic Law.”</p> <p dir="ltr">The meeting comes as China’s Foreign Minister, Wang Yi, finishes his ten-day tour of the Pacific Island region, having visited eight nations in total and raising concerns that deals similar to that between China and the Solomon Islands would be struck with other countries.</p> <p dir="ltr">Within hours of Ms Ardern and Mr Biden’s meeting, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian accused the US of “distorting the truth that the cooperation between China and the Pacific Island countries has been in line with regional benefits”.</p> <p dir="ltr">“China and Solomon Islands have no intention to establish military bases,” Mr Zhao said.</p> <p dir="ltr">Australia is also making efforts to meet with leaders in the region, with newly-sworn-in Foreign Minister Penny Wong jetting off to Samoa and Tonga for her second visit to the Pacific in nine days.</p> <p dir="ltr">“We want to make a uniquely Australian contribution to help build a stronger Pacific family - through social and economic opportunities including pandemic recovery, health, development and infrastructure support, as well as through our Pacific labour programs and permanent migration,” Ms Wong said in a statement.</p> <p dir="ltr">“We will increase our contribution to regional security: we understand that the security of the Pacific is the responsibility of the Pacific family, of which Australia is a part.</p> <p dir="ltr">“We will stand shoulder to shoulder with our Pacific family in addressing the existential threat of climate change. And we will deepen cultural and sporting ties.”</p> <p dir="ltr"><span id="docs-internal-guid-0c2debcf-7fff-0413-2aec-9fcf453570fb"></span></p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image: Getty Images</em></p>

International Travel

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New Zealand’s borders to open earlier than expected

<p dir="ltr">New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has confirmed that New Zealand’s border will be open to all visitors from July 31 - two months earlier than expected.</p> <p><span id="docs-internal-guid-dbea8701-7fff-c58d-99ec-45bddeacb5ad"></span></p> <p dir="ltr">While speaking at a Business NZ lunch in Auckland on Wednesday, Ms Ardern confirmed the new date for reopening, initially set for October, which will see all visa categories be allowed in.</p> <blockquote class="instagram-media" style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/CdZ_FWOsVC5/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"> </div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"> <div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style="width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"> </div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CdZ_FWOsVC5/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Grounded Kiwis (@groundedkiwis)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p dir="ltr">Ms Ardern also announced changes to immigration, including pathways for highly skilled workers in global demand to gain residency, as reported by the <em><a href="https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/covid-19-omicron-outbreak-jacinda-ardern-confirms-new-zealands-borders-fully-reopen-from-july-31/XF6OWFMGGLRGXTENVOSRQKGV5U/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">NZ Herald</a></em>.</p> <p dir="ltr">“New Zealand is in demand and now fully open for business,” she said.</p> <p dir="ltr">“This will be welcome news for families, businesses and our migrant communities. It also provides certainty and good preparation time for airlines  and cruise ship companies planning a return to New Zealand in the peak spring and summer seasons.”</p> <p dir="ltr">The changes will also be welcomed by the tertiary education sector - who can now welcome back international students, as well as industries suffering from worker shortages and split migrant families who need visas and have been separated for over two years.</p> <p dir="ltr"><span id="docs-internal-guid-d5a93264-7fff-db7a-b2a6-ce020df09509"></span></p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image: Getty Images</em></p>

Domestic Travel

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Man who threatened to kill Jacinda Ardern causes stir in court

<p dir="ltr">A man who threatened to kill New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern made claims he had been “kidnapped” by police and illegally detained during an outburst in court.</p> <p dir="ltr">Richard Trevor Sivell was arrested at a rural property in Te Puke, in the Western Bay of Plenty on the North Island, which is owned by the Ministry of Education.</p> <p dir="ltr">He claimed he owned the property through “allodial title”, an archaic law meaning that the property had no owner.</p> <p><span id="docs-internal-guid-6b8bee9d-7fff-7c87-37f0-e54c94043c08"></span></p> <p dir="ltr">His arrest was filmed by his supporters and shared online and later re-shared by anti-conspiracy theorist groups on social media.</p> <p><iframe style="border: none; overflow: hidden;" src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?height=315&href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FDebunkingConspiraciesAotearoa%2Fvideos%2F381405037137867%2F&show_text=true&width=560&t=0" width="560" height="430" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></p> <p dir="ltr">He was later charged with three offences, including intentionally obstructing a police officer during the arrest, failing to comply with police, and threatening to kill.</p> <p dir="ltr">The details of the threatening to kill charge have been suppressed and cannot be reported, per the <em><a href="https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/court-outburst-richard-sivell-charged-with-threatening-to-kill-pm-forced-by-police-into-dock/JFTRYCT6MOCWOC5FGRQDAZH5Y4/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">NZ Herald</a></em>. </p> <p dir="ltr">Mr Sivell went on to appear before the Tauranga District Court on Monday, where he repeatedly chose to stand in the public gallery and refused to enter the dock when instructed by Judge Thomas Ingram.</p> <p dir="ltr">Prior to his appearance in the courtroom, Mr Sivell arrived with a Bible and a one-page document which he called a “counterclaim”, as reported by <em><a href="https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/crime/300557520/man-who-threatened-to-kill-pm-dragged-into-dock-by-police-after-refusal-to-move?fbclid=IwAR2-VkhHDyZXBR1xATPr33YsTvYHoBQcFcS6QGMvfMtTaizRX0na0GmrYOg" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Stuff</a></em>.</p> <p dir="ltr">After presenting the document to the court office, he sat in the courtroom, maskless, and asked to be referred to by his first name rather than his last name by the judge.</p> <p dir="ltr">When he still refused to go beyond the public gallery, two police officers and a court security officer forcibly moved him to the dock - a distance of about 10 metres - and even carried him by the arms and legs at one stage. After continuing to resist the officers, Mr Sivell was pinned to the ground and handcuffed, at which point he accused the officers of assaulting him.</p> <p dir="ltr">“I’m a man of peace, stop assaulting me, I haven’t done anything, I haven’t broken the law. You guys are traumatising me again,” he said.</p> <p dir="ltr">When he was in the dock, Judge Ingram asked if he wanted a few minutes to catch his breath.</p> <p dir="ltr">“I appreciate this is not a lot of fun for you,” the judge said. “You certainly will be somewhat traumatised … by what’s occurred.”</p> <p dir="ltr">Mr Sivell then asked if the judge had received “the data”, to which Judge Ingram replied, “I’ve seen a piece of paper from you, yes.”</p> <p dir="ltr">“Without receiving the data we can’t proceed, your honour,” Mr Sivell replied.</p> <p dir="ltr">Judge Ingram said: "You can parrot that as much as you want Mr Sivell, but I'm going to proceed with the matter on the basis that the law of the land applies to you as it applies to everybody else."</p> <p dir="ltr">After refusing to acknowledge the judge's questions, the case was adjourned for half an hour. </p> <p dir="ltr">When he reappeared, he continued to refuse to speak, even when asked whether he wanted legal representation.</p> <p dir="ltr">"I'm a man of peace, I'm here under duress. I've been assaulted and kidnapped," Mr Sivell said.</p> <p dir="ltr">The case was then adjourned for two weeks, and Mr Sivell was remanded on bail on the condition that he made no contact with Ms Ardern or used a device capable of connecting to the internet.</p> <p dir="ltr"><strong>Threats appeared on Telegram</strong></p> <p dir="ltr">Mr Sivell tracked the arrival of police through a series of posts on Telegram - the encrypted messaging app which has become home to conspiracy theorists and Nazi sympathisers.</p> <p dir="ltr">According to the <em><a href="https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/police-stand-off-with-richard-sivell-who-allegedly-made-death-threats-against-prime-minister-jacinda-ardern/VUJLWAJCY3LWQZBMMIE3ANMBG4/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">NZHerald</a></em>, Mr Sivell used the same account to post what could be considered as threats to kill Ms Ardern and several journalists.</p> <p dir="ltr">“They are going to die. We are not going to allow them to share this world with us anymore,” Mr Sivell said in an audio message posted to the Counterspin channel on Telegram. “Same as Jacinda. She is going to die. Execute these motherf***ers. I look forward to hearing their necks snap.”</p> <p dir="ltr"><strong>Fake journalists and accusations of communism</strong></p> <p dir="ltr">Outside the court, Mr Sivell was met by his supporters, as well as members of the public posing as journalists.</p> <p dir="ltr">One of the 'journalists' interviewed Mr Sivell, who said New Zealand was becoming a "communist police state" and accused Ms Ardern of being a communist.</p> <p dir="ltr">He said those responsible for the vaccination program, which he described as a "bioweapon", should be held accountable under "Nuremberg law".</p> <p dir="ltr"><span id="docs-internal-guid-84b0bc66-7fff-ac97-d899-173ef54700fd"></span></p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image: Getty Images</em></p>

Legal

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Jacinda Ardern announces plan to reopen New Zealand

<p>After months of being closed to locals stranded overseas, New Zealand is planning to reopen its borders. </p><p>Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern annouced the plan for New Zealand citizens to return home in a speech on Thursday, and detailed a new scheme to reconnect the country to the rest of the world. </p><p>New Zealanders who have been stranded in Australia will be able to return home form February 27th, while citizens suck in other parts of the world will have to wait until March 13th.</p><p>The country still boasts strict border policies, with residents located across the world have been forced to enter a lottery system to gain a place in New Zealand's hotel quarantine system. </p><p>However, Ms Ardern said the stringent policies would now change. </p><p>"The tools we used yesterday to help battle this health crisis, they won't stay the same," she said. </p><p>She said there was "no question" the managed isolation and quarantine (MIQ) system "has been one of the hardest parts of the pandemic".</p><p>From the end of the month, returning New Zealanders will be allowed to isolate at home instead of facing an overcrowded hotel quarantine system. </p><p>While this new rule only applies to New Zealand citizens, it is expected Australian tourists and travellers from visa-waiver countries will be allowed in under similar conditions "no later than" July. </p><p>Visa holders, including international students and migrant workers, will be allowed in and to isolate at home from mid-April. </p><p>Non-visa holders can expect to enter New Zealand in October. </p><p><em>Image credits: Getty Images</em></p>

International Travel

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Damning full-page ad slams Ardern’s border policy

<p dir="ltr">New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has been <a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/jacinda-ardern-popularity-plunges-as-kiwis-struggle-to-return-home/e350bbd6-907c-4bd9-be82-63037dc52269" target="_blank" rel="noopener">openly criticised</a> in a full-page ad regarding the country’s strict border policy, after news emerged of a pregnant New Zealand journalist fighting to return home to give birth.</p><p dir="ltr">The advertisement, taken out by prominent businessman Michael Horton in one of New Zealand’s most widely-read magazines, claimed that New Zealand was one of the few countries not allowing its citizens to return home.</p><p><span id="docs-internal-guid-2ce06cae-7fff-55cf-e942-5c571f5e3dc0"></span></p><p dir="ltr">Under the headline, “The following countries do not ban their own citizens from returning to their home country”, the ad listed dozens of countries, from Afghanistan to Zimbabwe.</p><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">This ad, sponsored by Michael Horton, appears in the January 29 <a href="https://twitter.com/nzlistener?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@nzlistener</a>. Thank you Michael. <a href="https://twitter.com/nzgovt?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@nzgovt</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/govtnz?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@govtnz</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/jacindaardern?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@jacindaardern</a> <a href="https://t.co/ZGTW2iFHUr">pic.twitter.com/ZGTW2iFHUr</a></p>— Graeme Jennings (@Graeme_rj) <a href="https://twitter.com/Graeme_rj/status/1484343384357494786?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 21, 2022</a></blockquote><p dir="ltr">Above it, another headline read, “The following countries effectively ban their own citizens from returning to their home country”, with New Zealand as the only country listed.</p><p dir="ltr">The ad comes as Charlotte Bell, a 35-year-old journalist  who was working in Qatar for Al Jazeera until recently, remains stranded in Afghanistan, despite being triple-vaccinated and ready to isolate upon her return to her home country.</p><p dir="ltr">Kiwis looking to return home are required to secure a place in government-run quarantine, through a system called Managed Isolation and Quarantine (MIQ).</p><p dir="ltr">According to the MIQ website, travellers are advised to book their place in MIQ - with spots gradually released in the months prior to flight arrivals - before booking their flights.</p><p dir="ltr">“In periods of high demand, some people will miss out on securing an MIQ voucher, regardless of the system that is used,” the website reads.</p><p dir="ltr">As a result of the high demand for the 4500 available spots, thousands of New Zealanders have been unable to return home in time to be with dying family members or be present for milestone moments.</p><p dir="ltr">The system, which used a weekly lottery system to allocate vouchers until early January, has been fully booked out for months in advance which has also meant that impromptu travel or returning for emergencies - such as in Ms Bell’s case - remains virtually impossible. </p><p dir="ltr"><span id="docs-internal-guid-0e7e5743-7fff-7d75-76eb-89bdc2ad4ad7"></span></p><p dir="ltr">Ms Bell published an open letter in <em><a href="https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/covid-19-omicron-charlotte-bellis-an-open-letter-on-miq/U4WQGYTJHUP36AGVOBN3F6PJSE/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The New Zealand Herald</a></em> over the weekend detailing how she was forced to seek refuge in Afghanistan’s capital of Kabul, after she was no longer able to work in Qatar because it is illegal to be pregnant and unmarried there.</p><blockquote class="instagram-media" style="background: #FFF;border: 0;border-radius: 3px;margin: 1px;max-width: 540px;min-width: 326px;padding: 0;width: calc(100% - 2px)" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/CZSRlVysIQF/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14"><div style="padding: 16px"><div style="flex-direction: row;align-items: center"><div style="background-color: #f4f4f4;border-radius: 50%;flex-grow: 0;height: 40px;margin-right: 14px;width: 40px"> </div><div style="flex-direction: column;flex-grow: 1;justify-content: center"><div style="background-color: #f4f4f4;border-radius: 4px;flex-grow: 0;height: 14px;margin-bottom: 6px;width: 100px"> </div><div style="background-color: #f4f4f4;border-radius: 4px;flex-grow: 0;height: 14px;width: 60px"> </div></div></div><div style="padding: 19% 0"> </div><div style="height: 50px;margin: 0 auto 12px;width: 50px"> </div><div style="padding-top: 8px"><div style="color: #3897f0;font-family: Arial,sans-serif;font-size: 14px;font-style: normal;font-weight: 550;line-height: 18px">View this post on Instagram</div></div><div style="padding: 12.5% 0"> </div><div style="flex-direction: row;margin-bottom: 14px;align-items: center"><div><div style="background-color: #f4f4f4;border-radius: 50%;height: 12.5px;width: 12.5px"> </div><div style="background-color: #f4f4f4;height: 12.5px;width: 12.5px;flex-grow: 0;margin-right: 14px;margin-left: 2px"> </div><div style="background-color: #f4f4f4;border-radius: 50%;height: 12.5px;width: 12.5px"> </div></div><div style="margin-left: 8px"><div style="background-color: #f4f4f4;border-radius: 50%;flex-grow: 0;height: 20px;width: 20px"> </div><div style="width: 0;height: 0;border-top: 2px solid transparent;border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4;border-bottom: 2px solid transparent"> </div></div><div style="margin-left: auto"><div style="width: 0px;border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4;border-right: 8px solid transparent"> </div><div style="background-color: #f4f4f4;flex-grow: 0;height: 12px;width: 16px"> </div><div style="width: 0;height: 0;border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4;border-left: 8px solid transparent"> </div></div></div><div style="flex-direction: column;flex-grow: 1;justify-content: center;margin-bottom: 24px"><div style="background-color: #f4f4f4;border-radius: 4px;flex-grow: 0;height: 14px;margin-bottom: 6px;width: 224px"> </div><div style="background-color: #f4f4f4;border-radius: 4px;flex-grow: 0;height: 14px;width: 144px"> </div></div><p style="color: #c9c8cd;font-family: Arial,sans-serif;font-size: 14px;line-height: 17px;margin-bottom: 0;margin-top: 8px;overflow: hidden;padding: 8px 0 7px;text-align: center"><a style="color: #c9c8cd;font-family: Arial,sans-serif;font-size: 14px;font-style: normal;font-weight: normal;line-height: 17px;text-decoration: none" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CZSRlVysIQF/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Charlotte Bellis (@charlottebellis)</a></p></div></blockquote><p dir="ltr">“This is ridiculous. It is my legal right to go to New Zealand, where I have healthcare, where I have family. All my support is there,” she <a href="https://www.9news.com.au/world/from-kabul-pregnant-reporter-fights-nz-govt-to-come-home/94ed99be-8bbf-4ed0-a0f3-10a77e52ff84" target="_blank" rel="noopener">said</a>.</p><p dir="ltr">Ms Bell first attempted to secure residency in Belgium - where her partner is from - but said the length of the process meant she would have been left in the country with an expired visa.</p><p dir="ltr">With the option to either hop from country to country on tourist visas or attempt to secure a more long-term stay while she fought to return home, Ms Bell and her partner returned to Afghanistan because they had a visa, felt welcome, and could continue their battle there.</p><p dir="ltr">Critics like Mr Horton have claimed the lottery system is a needlessly punishing process as more than 90 percent of the country’s population have been fully vaccinated and boosters continue to be administered.</p><p dir="ltr">Meanwhile, Ms Ardern’s approval ratings have taken a hit, with a recent 1 News Kantor poll indicating that her current approval rate sits at just 35 percent, the lowest it’s been since she became Prime Minister in 2017.</p><p dir="ltr"><span id="docs-internal-guid-ff3c29b5-7fff-be5f-acb9-82fc7a0f93fa"></span></p><p dir="ltr"><em>Image: @charlottebellis (Instagram)</em></p>

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Jacinda Ardern’s cool response to car chase by anti-vaxxers

<p dir="ltr">Jacinda Ardern, Prime Minister of New Zealand, appeared unbothered by a car chase she was involved in that saw anti-vaxxers pursuing the van she was in, forcing it onto a kerb.</p> <p dir="ltr">Footage of the chase has recently gone viral online, showing a group of anti-vaccination activists use their own vehicles to attempt to block Ardern in the Bay of Islands.</p> <p dir="ltr">The group can be heard shouting abuse at Ardern’s vehicle as officers with the Diplomatic Protection Service stood guard. One shouted, “Shame on you!” while another shouted, “We do not consent”. Another protestor claimed Ardern was “hiding in the van”, calling her a “wussy” and a “Nazi”.</p> <p dir="ltr">The video also shows the vehicle attempting to pull on to the main road, taking to the footpath to avoid a car attempting to block it in. A woman in one of the cars pursuing it can be heard saying, “Oh this is fun! We‘re on a chase”, while a man says that the group just wanted “a few words” with Ardern. They joked, “We’re in pursuit for the Prime Minister”.</p> <p dir="ltr">Ardern described it as “just another day”, telling reporters, “at no point was I worried about my safety or the safety of anyone that was with me.” She added, “Every day is faced with new and different experiences in this job … We are in an environment at the moment that does have an intensity to it that is unusual for New Zealand. I do also believe that with time it will pass.”</p> <p dir="ltr">She said, “I see that as just being a reflection of the fact that we are the decision makers. And if people don’t like the decisions that are being made, then it’s us that of course will hear the feedback about that.”</p> <p dir="ltr">The chase comes amid a small but notable rise in threats towards public officials involved in New Zealand’s pandemic response, according to police data released to<span> </span><em>1News<span> </span></em>this week. Threats to politicians reached a three-year high in one month last year. Most of the reports, which at times spiked to as many as 16 per month, involved threats aimed at Prime Minister Ardern.</p> <p dir="ltr">Lance Burdett, who protected former Prime Minister Helen Clark, said COVID-19 vaccinations had become a sticking point with a small minority. While close to 95% of adults in New Zealand are now fully vaccinated, some have strongly resisted getting the jab or the mandates that have come with the country’s pandemic response.</p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image: Mark Mitchell-Pool/Getty Images</em></p>

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