Facts on... Jacinda Ardern

Jacinda Ardern

Prime Minister of New Zealand

Full name: Jacinda Kate Laurell Ardern

Party: New Zealand Labour Party

Born: July 26, 1980, Hamilton, New Zealand

Born in Hamilton, Jacinda grew up in Waikato and attended Morrinsville College, before graduating from the University of Waikato with a Bachelor of Communications Studies in International Relations and Professional Communication. Seeing “children without shoes on their feet or anything to eat for lunch” in her hometown inspired her to eventually enter politics. She joined the New Zealand Labour Party at age 18.

After university, Jacinda worked in a variety of roles across government and business, including as an advisor to Prime Minister Helen Clark, and in the Government Cabinet Office in London.

In the 2017 elections, her charismatic optimism, strength, and down-to-earth charm quickly energized voters—especially women and the young—which resulted in her becoming the 40th Prime Minister of New Zealand in September.

As well as Prime Minister, Jacinda holds the roles of Minister for National Security and Intelligence, and Minister for Child Poverty Reduction, an issue particularly close to her heart. She is also the Minister Responsible for Ministerial Services and Associate Minister for Arts, Culture and Heritage.