Jacinda Ardern gives her farewell speech in parliament in Wellington on April 5.
Mark Coote/AFP via Getty Images
hide caption
Jacinda Ardern gives her farewell speech in parliament in Wellington on April 5.
Welcome to the NPR series where we spotlight the people and things making headlines — and the stories behind them.
In a rousing and, at times, personal farewell speech this week in parliament, Jacinda Ardern touched on family, politics and one of the very few things she will ask of her colleagues as she departs.
Who is she? The former prime minister of New Zealand.
Jacinda Ardern’s final speech to New Zealand’s parliament.
What’s the big deal?
Ardern hugs a mosque-goer at the Kilbirnie Mosque on March 17, 2019 in Wellington, days after the attacks.
Hagen Hopkins/Getty Images
hide caption
What is she saying? In her final speech this week, Ardern spoke of both her personal and political ambitions and achievements.
On describing herself as a “worrier”:
Some might say the worst possible character trait to have as a politician, or the best depending on how you cut it.
I’ve always believed this to be a place where you can make a difference. I leave knowing that to be true … And not only can you be here, you can lead just like me.
On climate change:
Climate change is a crisis. It is upon us. And so one of the very few things I will ask of this House on my departure is that you please take the politics out of climate change.
On her personal life:
I had not long experienced a failed IVF round when I became leader of the Labour Party. I thought that I had found myself on a path that meant I wouldn’t be a mother. Rather than process that, I campaigned to become prime minister, a rather good distraction as far as they go. Imagine my surprise when a couple of months later I discovered I was pregnant.
This content was originally published here.
