December 18th, 2024
Gratitude for science and her support team: Ardern praised the role of science in navigating the COVID-19 pandemic and expressed gratitude to her core team for their dedication and efforts during the crisis.
Addressing disinformation and conspiracies: The former Prime Minister highlighted the rise of disinformation during the pandemic, urging the nation to work together to prevent others from being drawn into conspiracy theories.
Remembering the March 15 Christchurch tragedy: Ardern emotionally recalled the aftermath of the terror attack and pledged to continue working on the issue of radicalisation and violent extremism online through the Christchurch Call to Action.
Learning from the Erebus and Pike River disasters: Ardern emphasised the importance of acknowledging and confronting these tragedies, highlighting the need for a memorial for Erebus victims and praising the strength of Pike River families.
Importance of unity and compassion: Throughout her speech, Ardern stressed the significance of empathy and solidarity in facing challenges as a nation.
Gratitude for public support: The former Prime Minister expressed her appreciation for the support and trust of the people of New Zealand during her tenure.
Future endeavours and legacy: Ardern touched on her future efforts in addressing complex issues such as online radicalisation, violent extremism, and disinformation, leaving behind a legacy of compassionate and determined leadership.
In her valedictory speech at the New Zealand Parliament on Wednesday, former Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern looked back on her time leading the nation through the COVID-19 pandemic and discussed other significant events and issues that shaped her tenure, including the March 15 Christchurch tragedy, the aftermath of Erebus and Pike River disasters, and the rise of disinformation and conspiracies.
Science and team effort praised for pandemic response
Ardern reflected on the difficulties of navigating the COVID-19 crisis, crediting science and her support team for guiding her through the challenging period. "We had science, and I remain forever grateful for that," she said. The former Prime Minister acknowledged that although they didn't always get things right, they were always motivated by the right intentions, and she expressed her gratitude to key individuals for their dedication and efforts.
"You saved people's lives," Ardern told her team. "Was it hard? Absolutely, but we'll never know who you kept on this earth to know how truly worth it it was."
Jacinda Ardern in a final address to parliament said, all New Zealanders should feel politics can be a home for them https://t.co/jurl1iBL3f pic.twitter.com/5rTmkv0f7s
— Reuters (@Reuters) April 5, 2023
Ardern addresses disinformation and conspiracies
During her speech, Ardern touched on the issue of disinformation and conspiracies, which became more prevalent during the latter stages of the pandemic. She shared her experiences with individuals who believed in these false narratives and acknowledged the challenges in changing their beliefs.
"I could not single-handedly pull someone out of a rabbit hole, but perhaps, collectively, we all have a role to play in stopping people falling in in the first place," Ardern said.
She called for healthy debate in a democratic society and urged the nation to work together to prevent others from being drawn into conspiracy theories.
Remembering the March 15 Christchurch tragedy
In an emotional segment of her speech, Ardern recalled the aftermath of the March 15 terror attack on the Muslim community in Christchurch. She described the profound impact of the gratitude expressed by a survivor of the attack, which has stayed with her. "He thanked us. Here was someone who had been through the most horrific experience I could imagine, and he thanked New Zealand and expressed gratitude for his home," she said.
The former Prime Minister pledged to continue working on the issue of radicalisation and violent extremism online through the Christchurch Call to Action, aiming to create a safer online environment for all.
Learning from Erebus and Pike River disasters
Ardern also spoke about the Erebus and Pike River tragedies, expressing the importance of acknowledging and confronting these moments to ensure they become part of New Zealand's collective consciousness. She highlighted the need for a memorial for the victims of Erebus, saying, "Time may have passed, but the deep loss from that event has not. Apologising for what happened was the right thing to do; now the least we owe families is a memorial."
As for the Pike River families, Ardern called it "an honour to see through the promise we made to you," and praised the strength and dedication of individuals like Anna Osborne and Sonya Rockhouse, who she now considers friends. "Thank you for what you have done to try and help us all learn from your experience, and may it never happen again," she concluded.
Ardern stresses importance of unity and compassion
Throughout her speech, the former Prime Minister emphasised the importance of unity and compassion, two key themes during her tenure. As she reflected on the challenges faced during her time in office, Ardern reminded the nation of its collective strength in the face of adversity.
"We went in as a nation with a goal to look after one another, and we did," Ardern said, highlighting the importance of empathy and solidarity during difficult times.
Gratitude for support during tenure
Ardern also expressed gratitude to the people of New Zealand for their support throughout her time as Prime Minister, acknowledging the sacrifices and resilience shown by the country during her tenure. She thanked the public for their understanding and perseverance in the face of hardship, recognising the collective effort required to overcome the challenges faced.From
"To the people of New Zealand, I am grateful for your trust and support during my time as Prime Minister," Ardern said. "It has been an honour and privilege to serve you, and I will always cherish the memories and lessons learned during my tenure."
Future endeavours and legacy
While Ardern's speech focused primarily on her time as Prime Minister, she also touched on her future endeavours and the legacy she hopes to leave behind. As she moves on from her role, Ardern expressed her commitment to continuing to work on issues such as online radicalisation and violent extremism, as well as searching for solutions to the problem of disinformation and conspiracies.
"These are answers I will keep looking for," Ardern stated, indicating her ongoing dedication to addressing these complex issues.
As her tenure comes to an end, Ardern's valedictory speech serves as a poignant reminder of her time in office, during which she led New Zealand through numerous crises with compassion, unity, and determination. Her legacy as a leader who focused on the well-being of her nation and its people will long be remembered, as she continues to work on the critical issues facing society today.