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Download AudioKelvin Davis, the highest-ranked Māori member of the Labour Government, says Jacinda Adern is New Zealand’s greatest modern leader.
The former Prime Minister will give her valedictory speech today and retire on April 15.
Mr Davis says they both entered parliament in 2008.
He says after stepping up as leader she has steered the country through some truly challenging times, but it’s her compassion for people while making the tough calls that he will remember most.
“She just was able to give the messages, the strong firm messages, and make decisions that left people with their mana totally intact – and walking out actually feeling ‘okay I can live with this’. So, just the greatest leader I’ve seen in my time in education and my time in politics – without a doubt,” Mr Davis says.
He says he hopes Ms Ardern will now be left to live her life with her whanau out of the public spotlight.
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