Jacinda Ardern’s next job is revealed as her successor as New Zealand’s prime minister floats a bold new plan
- Jacinda Ardern could land international role
- Ex-NZ prime minister has overseas appeal
- She will likely do work for Christchurch Call
New Zealand Prime Minister Chris Hipkins has hinted at a potential job for former leader Jacinda Ardern on her flagship foreign policy effort.
During her five-year prime ministership, Ms Ardern established the Christchurch Call with French President Emanuel Macron, a unique tie-up between more than 120 nations and major tech companies to eliminate online extremism.
The Call was founded in the wake of the terror attacks on Christchurch mosques, which occurred on March 15, 2019 – four years ago on Wednesday.
At his weekly post-cabinet press conference, Mr Hipkins floated the idea that Ms Ardern could maintain her interest in the Call beyond her career in politics.
‘(The Call) remains one of our international priorities,’ he said.
‘New Zealand is seen as having taken a really positive global leadership role there, and I want to make sure that we’re seeing that through.
New Zealand Prime Minister Chris Hipkins has hinted at a potential job for former leader Jacinda Ardern (pictured, with partner Clarke Gayford) on her flagship foreign policy effort
The Christchurch Call was founded in the wake of the terror attacks on the city’s mosques, which occurred on March 15, 2019 – four years ago on Wednesday (pictured, Ms Ardern embraces a woman as she arrives at the Kilbirnie Mosque in Wellington two days after New Zealand’s worst mass shooting in its history)
‘There’s potential for Jacinda Ardern to continue to be involved in that work, and in due course we’ll explore what that might look like.’
Ms Ardern has not given interviews and has maintained a low profile since her shock departure as prime minister, announced on January 19.
She was spotted in the hard-hit town of Hastings in the aftermath of Cyclone Gabrielle, helping to create food parcels at a community centre.
A spokesman for Ms Ardern told AAP: ‘We’re not commenting on the former PM’s future plans at this time.’
The two-time election winner is due to give her valedictory statement in the next month and will leave parliament on April 15.
Ms Ardern’s incredible overseas appeal has led to suggestions she could take an ambassadorial posting when she leaves politics, or hold an international office (pictured left, the former New Zealand leader in New York last September with French President Emmanuel Macron)
Ms Ardern’s incredible overseas appeal has led to many suggestions she could take an ambassadorial posting when she leaves politics, or hold an international office.
Deputy opposition leader Nicola Willis, standing in for her COVID-struck leader Chris Luxon, said that idea had merit.
‘I’ll be very interested to see what Prime Minister Ardern is intending to do post politics,’ she said.
‘If that includes being an ambassador for New Zealand on the world stage in a way that furthers our country’s interests, then I think (the) National (party) will be supportive of that.’
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