Proclaimed republican and former NZ Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern made Dame in King’s Birthday and Coronation Honours

Jacinda Ardern, an avowed republican, was in "two minds" accepting being named a Dame in the King’s Birthday and Coronation Honours.

Jacinda Ardern, a proclaimed republican, has been made a Dame Grand Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit in the King’s Birthday and Coronation Honours list.

The former prime minister was the only person among 182 recipients to be made a Dame or Knight Grand Companion this year – the second highest honour for services to the state.

She was recognised on Monday for leading her country through tumultuous years, which saw terrorist attacks in Christchurch and the COVID-19 pandemic.

Ms Ardern said she was in “two minds” about accepting the honour.

“So many of the things we went through as a nation over the last five years were about all of us rather than one individual,” she told the New Zealand Herald.

“But I have heard that said by so many Kiwis who I have encouraged to accept an honour over the years.

“And so for me, this is a way to say thank you - to my family, to my colleagues, and to the people who supported me to take on the most challenging and rewarding role of my life.”

Ms Ardern in 2021 stated she believed New Zealand would separate from the Monarch in her lifetime, but added she would not instigate the process.

She claimed the role of governor-general would possibly be made redundant within years, following Dame Cindy Kiro’s succession to the role.

Ms Ardern abruptly resigned from office in January earlier this year, admitting she did not have "enough in the tank" to do the role.

She was internationally recognised when she became the world’s youngest person to assume head of government when she was elected at 37 years old in 2017.

https://www.skynews.com.au/world-news/proclaimed-republican-and-former-nz-prime-minister-jacinda-ardern-made-dame-in-kings-birthday-and-coronation-honours/news-story/5f2f25b44b369075b2d55af7641e5cdf