Former Prime Minister Dame Jacinda Ardern is set to receive a global leadership award from the United Nations Foundation.
The award, part of the annual We The Peoples honours, celebrates individuals and organisations whose work aligns with the UN’s values and mission.
Ardern will receive the Champion for Global Change award, recognising her “leadership in advancing women’s rights, addressing climate change, and promoting peace and unity.”
While Ardern’s leadership has been hailed internationally for its empathetic and progressive approach, her administration also faced scrutiny at home.
During Ardern’s tenure as Prime Minister, her administration faced several legal challenges concerning breaches of the New Zealand Bill of Rights Act 199o.
In August 2020, the Wellington High Court ruled that the government’s directive for citizens to stay home during the initial nine days of the COVID-19 Alert Level 4 lockdown was unlawful and contrary to the NZBORA.
The court acknowledged that while the lockdown was justified, the legal framework at that time did not adequately support such restrictions.
In February 2022, the High Court found that vaccine mandates for the Police and Defence Force violated the right to refuse medical treatment under the NZBORA. The court criticised the mandates for not considering alternative measures, such as remote work or regular COVID-19 testing, to ensure safety.
In April 2022, the High Court ruled that certain aspects of the MIQ system, particularly the “virtual lobby” and the inability to consider individual circumstances, breached the NZBORA.
The court recognised that while MIQ was vital for public health, its implementation infringed upon citizens’ rights to return to New Zealand.
Last month, Ardern was made a Dame in a ceremony conducted by Prince William in the UK, adding to her growing list of accolades since stepping down from politics.
This year’s ceremony will also honour other notable figures, including TIME magazine, poet and activist Amanda Gorman, singer-songwriter Angélique Kidjo, chef and entrepreneur Louise Mabulo, and UN emergency first responders.
The awards will be presented in New York on Friday.
