In final speech, Ardern reflects on leading New Zealand

By NICK PERRY
Associated Press

WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) — In her final speech to New Zealand’s Parliament, Jacinda Ardern describes in emotional terms how she navigated a pandemic and a mass shooting during her tumultuous five-year tenure as prime minister. She’s also urging lawmakers to take the politics out of climate change. A standing ovation greeted her when she finished her speech Wednesday. A global icon of the left and an inspiration to women around the world, Ardern stepped down as prime minister in January. But she stayed on as a lawmaker to avoid triggering a special election ahead of general elections in October. Ardern said she hoped her tenure had demonstrated “that you can be anxious, sensitive, kind and wear your heart on your sleeve” and be a leader.