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Comment of the Week

Apparently, this is the forward to Ardern’s upcoming book, penned by the woman herself.

Today’s Comment of the Week is from Paul Marsden. Thank you Paul for your contribution.

Apparently, this is the forward to Ardern’s upcoming book, penned by the woman herself...

It was a dizzy ascent; from managing a nationwide chain of seafood restaurants, to Prime Minister of Aotearoa! Nothing prepares you for that.

The moment I received the thumbs up text from Winston, I knew my life would change forever.

But I also knew that those values which had helped me navigate my way to the top, kindness, empathy and determination, would be the values which helped me fulfill my destiny – to lead my people out of the wilderness of 9 years of neglect, and into the promised land of fairness and equality.

It was quickly apparent that not all of my erstwhile cabinet colleagues shared my vision of Nirvana Zealand, so I set about building team of like-minded souls who could share my journey into the future: Chippy, Woodsy, Woody, Robbo and Nasho, Tova and Jess. Their names would become the stuff of legends.

Together we would embark on a never ending journey of aspiration which would highlight our little country’s position as a global beacon of aspiration.

And then came Covid. As a famous Irish poet once said, “the best laid plans of mice and pens are often going to algae”.

There were times during the dark days of Covid when I thought of ending it all, the weight of a nation on my slender shoulders was too much a cross to bear, but I knew that it was my destiny to be that tower of strength to which Kiwis could cling, until that faint glimmer of light at the end of the long dark tunnel shone brighter and brighter, then at last we would emerge into the glorious daylight of being Covid free.

When I look back on all I achieved, ending child poverty, giving savers the best levels of returns in decades, helping motels achieve sustainably full occupancy, and the free trade agreement with Ibiza (for which my darling Clarke must take some credit), I think of all it will be my handling of the Covid response which will be my legacy. The team of 5 million, a nation united as one determined to conquer, and we did. Yes we did!

It has been a journey of expectation and endeavour, of persistence and perspiration, and most of all of enduring and all embracing kindness.

This then is my story, the story of the farm girl from the Waikato who, just for a wee while, became the most celebrated female leader under the age of 40 in the Southern Hemisphere. I hope you enjoy it!

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