Jacinda Ardern, 37, Will Be New Zealand's Youngest Prime Minister
WELLINGTON, New Zealand A minor party holding the balance of power in New Zealand threw its support behind 37-year-old Jacinda Arderns bid to become prime minister on Thursday, ending the center-right National Partys nine-year grip on power.
Ms. Ardern, the leader of the Labour Party, will take over from Prime Minister Bill English, reversing Labours long-flagging fortunes and giving the country its youngest leader in more than 150 years.
Ms. Arderns ascension represents a remarkable rise for a woman who just months ago became Labours youngest leader ever, setting off Jacindamania among the partys followers. Unconventional and described by colleagues as intensely focused, she has defied the norms of New Zealand politics and refused to be pinned down on whether she has considered having children, saying no male politician would be forced to answer that question.
Ms. Ardern said Thursday that she believed in building an economy that worked for all New Zealanders while working to protect New Zealands environment and clean up its waterways.
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/10/19/world/asia/new-zealand-jacinda-ardern.html