Ardern record cause for Ratana celebration

Jacinda Ardern and Labour MP Soraya Peke-Mason credit Peke-Mason

Adam Gifford Soraya Peke Mason - Ratana celebrations last one for Jacinda Ardern as PM

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Labour’s newest MP Soraya Peke-Mason says tomorrow’s trip to Ratana will be a chance to celebrate the contribution Jacinda Ardern has made to Aotearoa New Zealand.

The appearance at the annual celebration of the birthday of movement founder Tahupōtiki Wiremu Ratana will be Ms Ardern’s last outing as prime minister before she hands over to Chris Hipkins.

Ms Peke-Mason, who entered parliament in October to replace retiring speaker Trevor Mallard, says Ms Ardern’s resignation announcement on Thursday came as a surprise.

“I just want to celebrate the great leadership. leadership, the courage and the transformation she has brought to this country. In the next few days right through to Ratana and after we need to celebrate and acknowledge the great job she has done over these five or six yeas and they have been huge, not just for Aotearoa but globally,” she says.

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