How Jacinda Ardern Shaped the Future: A Legacy Timeline

How the contributions of Jacinda Ardern continue to shape the world today.

Jacinda Ardern served as the 40th Prime Minister of New Zealand and leader of the Labour Party from 2017 to 2023. Before becoming Prime Minister, she was a Member of Parliament, first as a list MP from 2008 to 2017, and then representing the Mount Albert electorate from 2017 to 2023. Her tenure was marked by significant events, including the Christchurch mosque shootings and the COVID-19 pandemic, which shaped her leadership and policy decisions.

Sections (6)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Challenges & Struggles Legacy & Impact

1961: Abortion in Crimes Act 1961

Ardern supported the removal of abortion from the Crimes Act 1961.

2005: Ardern leaves The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

In 2005, at age 25, Jacinda Ardern left The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints because it conflicted with her personal views, in particular her support for gay rights.

2013: Ardern votes for Marriage Amendment Act

In 2013, Ardern voted in support of the Marriage (Definition of Marriage) Amendment Act, which legalised same-sex marriage in New Zealand.

January 2017: Ardern identifies as agnostic

In January 2017, Jacinda Ardern identified as agnostic, saying "I can't see myself being a member of an organised religion again".

September 2017: Ardern Calls for Debate on Removing the Monarch as Head of State

In September 2017, Ardern stated that she wanted New Zealand to debate removing the monarch of New Zealand as head of state.

2017: Ardern Advocates for Lower Immigration Rate

In 2017, Ardern advocated for a lower rate of immigration, suggesting a drop of around 20,000–30,000, citing infrastructure issues and a need for better planning for population growth and skill shortages.

2017: Ardern Voices Support for Two-State Solution

In 2017, Jacinda Ardern voiced support for a two-state solution to resolve the Israeli–Palestinian conflict and condemned the Israeli killing of Palestinians during protests at the Gaza border.

2017: Filming of Prime Minister Documentary Begins

In 2017, Michelle Walshe and Lindsay Utz began filming a documentary on Ardern's time as prime minister, titled Prime Minister, which featured home video filmed by Ardern's partner Clarke Gayford.

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2018: Ardern Marches in Pride Parade

In 2018, Ardern became the first New Zealand prime minister to march in a pride parade.

2018: Jacinda Ardern attracts international media attention

In 2018, Jacinda Ardern attracted significant international media attention during an overseas trip, particularly after delivering a speech at the United Nations in New York. She was contrasted with contemporary world leaders and cast as an "antidote to Trumpism".

May 2019: Mural of Ardern Unveiled

In May 2019, a 25-metre mural of Jacinda Ardern hugging a member of the Christchurch Muslim community was unveiled.

September 2019: Ardern featured in British Vogue

In September 2019, Jacinda Ardern was one of fifteen women selected to appear on the cover of British Vogue, by guest editor Meghan, Duchess of Sussex.

December 2019: Ardern praised for leadership

In December 2019, reflecting on the decade, The Spinoff's editor praised Jacinda Ardern for her leadership and empathy following the Christchurch mosque shootings and the Whakaari / White Island eruption. It was stated that Ardern's strength brought New Zealanders together and inspired people worldwide.

March 2020: Ardern Votes for Abortion Legislation Act

In March 2020, Jacinda Ardern voted for the Abortion Legislation Act, which amended the law to decriminalise abortion in New Zealand.

2020: Ardern Votes in Favour of Legalising Cannabis

In 2020, Ardern voted in favour of legalising cannabis in the New Zealand cannabis referendum, though she did not reveal her position until after the referendum.

May 2021: Ardern tops Fortune's list of world's greatest leaders

In mid-May 2021, Fortune magazine gave Jacinda Ardern the top spot on their list of world's 50 greatest leaders, citing her leadership during the COVID-19 pandemic as well as her handling of the Christchurch mosque shootings and the Whakaari / White Island eruption.

May 2021: Ardern on New Zealand Becoming a Republic

On 24 May 2021, during the announcement of Dame Cindy Kiro as governor-general, Ardern said she believed that New Zealand would become a republic within her lifetime.

2021: Ardern ranked among most powerful women

In 2021, Forbes magazine ranked Jacinda Ardern 34th among the 100 most powerful women in the world.

2021: Species named in honour of Ardern

In 2021, New Zealand zoologist Steven A. Trewick named the flightless wētā species Hemiandrus jacinda in honour of Ardern. Other species named after her include a beetle (Mecodema jacinda), a lichen (Ocellularia jacinda-arderniae), and an ant (Crematogaster jacindae).

2021: Ardern's Stance on Democratic Socialism

In 2021, when asked to comment on the 2021 Budget, Ardern stated, "I have always described myself as a Democratic Socialist", but she does not consider the term to be useful in New Zealand, as it is not commonly used in the political sphere.

May 2022: Ardern awarded honorary degree by Harvard University

On 26 May 2022, Jacinda Ardern was awarded an honorary Doctor of Laws degree by Harvard University for contributions that "shape the world".

November 2022: Ardern Supports Lowering the Voting Age to 16

Following the Supreme Court's ruling in November 2022, Ardern supported lowering the voting age to 16 years and said that the Government would introduce legislation to this effect.

April 2023: Ardern Appointed Trustee of the Earthshot Prize

On 4 April 2023, Ardern was announced as a trustee of the Earthshot Prize. Prince William selected her for her commitment to sustainable and environmental solutions, stating she was one of the first to encourage him to establish the prize.

2023: Resignation and Academic Appointments

Following her resignation in 2023 and subsequent academic appointments in the United States, some New Zealanders expressed concern over what they viewed as a withdrawal from domestic political accountability.

2023: Ardern appointed Dame Grand Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit

In the 2023 King's Birthday and Coronation Honours, Jacinda Ardern was appointed a Dame Grand Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit (GNZM), for services to the State.

October 2024: Ardern Investiture at Windsor Castle

On 16 October 2024, Jacinda Ardern was invested as a Dame Grand Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit (GNZM) by the Prince of Wales at Windsor Castle.

November 2024: Ardern to receive Champion for Global Change Award

In mid November 2024, it was reported that the United Nations Foundation would award Jacinda Ardern the Champion for Global Change Award in recognition of her "trailblazing and empathetic" leadership.

2024: Production of Prime Minister Documentary

Between 2017 and 2024, Michelle Walshe and Lindsay Utz produced a documentary on Ardern's time as prime minister, titled Prime Minister, which featured home video filmed by Ardern's partner Clarke Gayford.

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January 2025: Announcement of Ardern's Memoir

On 21 January 2025, Crown Publishing Group announced that Ardern's memoir, titled A Different Kind of Power, would be released on 3 June. Ardern chose not to tour in or near New Zealand to promote her memoir due to negative public sentiment. Instead, Ardern plans a nine-night promotional tour across the United Kingdom and the United States for her book which will detail her political career and leadership philosophy.

A Different Kind of Power: A Memoir

Check it on Amazon

June 2025: Ardern to Receive Honorary Degree from Oxford University

In June 2025, Oxford University announced that Jacinda Ardern would be awarded an honorary degree of Civil Law during the annual Encaenia ceremony on 25 June.

2025: 130 Governments and Tech Firms Sign Up to the Christchurch Call to Action

In 2025, 130 governments and tech firms were signed up to the "Christchurch Call to Action".

2025: Continued belief in lives saved by Covid-19 actions

In 2025, Ardern continued to believe that her actions during the COVID-19 pandemic had saved approximately 24,000 lives, though she acknowledged the period as "really hard".

2025: Premiere of Prime Minister Documentary

In 2025, the documentary titled "Prime Minister", which was produced between 2017 and 2024 by Michelle Walshe and Lindsay Utz and featuring home video filmed by Ardern's partner Clarke Gayford, premiered at the Sundance Film Festival.

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2025: Ardern clarifies resignation reasons in interview

In a 2025 interview, Ardern clarified that her resignation was not due to "burnout" but rather a judgment about her ability to operate at the necessary level.