Jacinda Ardern

Jacinda Ardern is the former Prime Minister of New Zealand. She is currently newsworthy due to her withdrawal from the 2026 Adelaide Writers' Week. This action is a direct response to the Adelaide Festival board's decision to rescind its invitation to Palestinian-Australian author Randa Abdel-Fattah. The disinvitation stemmed from concerns about cultural sensitivity following a mass shooting targeting Jewish Australians. Ardern's withdrawal is part of a larger wave of protest, with numerous other writers, board members, and sponsors also pulling out of the festival. This mass boycott highlights the ongoing debate surrounding free speech, cultural sensitivity, and the representation of diverse voices within cultural events. Ardern's involvement, given her international profile, amplifies the significance of the controversy and its potential impact on the festival's reputation.