Jacinda Ardern

Jacinda Ardern is the former Prime Minister of New Zealand, who gained international recognition as the youngest female head of government in 2017. She recently resigned from her position and is now living and working in Australia with her family. Ardern's move to Australia follows a trend of New Zealanders relocating, contributing to a 'brain drain'. She has recently been in the news for withdrawing from the 2026 Adelaide Writers' Week in protest of the festival board's decision to disinvite Palestinian-Australian author Randa Abdel-Fattah. This decision has caused significant controversy, leading to mass boycotts and resignations from the festival. Ardern's withdrawal highlights the ongoing debate surrounding free speech and cultural sensitivity within the Australian arts scene.