Jacinda Ardern says leaders can be ‘sensitive and kind’ in farewell speech

Former New Zealand PM calls for politics to be opened up for all in emotional address to parliament

“You can be anxious, sensitive, kind and wear your heart on your sleeve. You can be a mother, or not, an ex-Mormon, or not, a nerd, a crier, a hugger – you can be all of these things, and not only can you be here – you can lead.”

Jacinda Ardern has left New Zealand’s parliament with a highly personal, often emotional speech, calling for an opening up of politics to those who may not see themselves as typical leaders.