Jacinda Ardern's Success and Achievements in Timeline

A closer look at the biggest achievements of Jacinda Ardern. Awards, milestones, and records that define success.

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

2014: Graduated from the World Economic Forum's Forum of Young Global Leaders

In 2014, Ardern attended and graduated from the World Economic Forum's (WEF) Forum of Young Global Leaders in Switzerland.

February 2017: Won Mount Albert by-election

In February 2017, Ardern won a landslide victory in the Mount Albert by-election, gaining 77 percent of votes cast in the preliminary results.

September 2017: Retained Mount Albert electorate seat

At the general election held on 23 September 2017, Ardern retained her Mount Albert electorate seat by a margin of 15,264 votes and Labour increased its vote share.

March 2019: Introduced strict gun laws after Christchurch mosque shootings

In March 2019, following the Christchurch mosque shootings, Ardern reacted by rapidly introducing strict gun laws.

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.

2019: New Zealand Passes Law Banning Semiautomatic Weapons

In 2019, in response to the Christchurch shootings, the New Zealand Parliament passed a law banning most semiautomatic weapons and assault rifles less than one month after the attack.

May 2020: High Approval Ratings and Estimated Lives Saved

In May 2020, post-lockdown opinion polls showed high support for the Labour Party and Jacinda Ardern reached a record high as preferred prime minister. The number of lives saved by the COVID response led by Ardern was estimated as up to 80,000.

October 2020: Led Labour Party to landslide victory

In October 2020, Ardern led the Labour Party to a landslide victory, gaining an overall majority of 65 seats in Parliament.

November 2020: Ardern awarded Harvard University's Gleitsman International Activist Award

On 19 November 2020, Jacinda Ardern was awarded Harvard University's 2020 Gleitsman International Activist Award and contributed the US$150,000 prize money to New Zealanders studying at the university.

2020: Labour Party Victory in General Election

In the 2020 general election, Jacinda Ardern led her party to a landslide victory, winning an overall majority in the House of Representatives and retaining the Mount Albert electorate. Ardern attributed the victory to the government's response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

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.

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: High domestic popularity

In early 2021, Jacinda Ardern had a high domestic popularity, with 70% of people polled thinking the country was going in the right direction.

May 2022: Trade mission to the United States and Harvard commencement address

In late May 2022, Ardern led a trade and tourism mission to the United States. She urged the Biden Administration to join the CPTPP. She condemned the Robb Elementary School shooting while attending the Late Show with Stephen Colbert and advocated stronger gun control measures. On 27 May, Ardern gave the annual commencement address at Harvard University and was awarded an honorary doctorate in law. On 28 May, Ardern signed a memorandum of understanding with Governor of California Gavin Newsom, formalizing bilateral cooperation between New Zealand and California in climate change mitigation and research.

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".

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: 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.

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: 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".