Jacinda Ardern

Jacinda Ardern Bio

Jacinda Ardern (born in Hamilton, New Zealand) was elected Prime Minister of New Zealand in 2017. At 37 years old, she became the country's youngest Prime Minister in more than 150 years.

Ardern attended high school before graduating from the University of Waikato with a Bachelor of Communication Studies in Politics and Public Relations. While studying, she joined the New Zealand Labour Party at age 18.

After graduating from University, Ardern worked as an adviser in the office of then-Prime Minister Helen Clark. In 2005, she traveled to London and worked as an Assistant Director in the Government Cabinet Office of British Prime Minister Tony Blair.

In 2007, she was elected President of the International Union of Socialist Youth. The following year, Ardern entered New Zealand’s Parliament as a list candidate. Aged 28, she entered the House of Representatives as its youngest member. She was unanimously elected as deputy leader of the Labour Party following the resignation of Annette King. She became leader of the Labour Party after Andrew Little resigned from the position.

As well as Prime Minister, Ardern held the roles of Minister for National Security and Intelligence, Minister for Arts, Culture and Heritage, and Minister for Child Poverty Reduction. In 2018, she gave birth to her first child, and became the first leader of a country in 30 years to give birth while in office.