New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern on Saturday launched her re- election campaign promising a focus on boosting jobs and economic growth hit by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The charismatic 40-year-old leader is on track for a comfortable victory in the September 19 election, according to opinion polls, having won global praise for her leadership during the coronavirus pandemic.
It has been 99 days since New Zealand had any domestic transmission of COVID- 19, a rare achievement as the pandemic rages globally, and it has re-opened the economy after undergoing a complete shutdown to eradicate the coronavirus.
In her first campaign speech, Ardern pledged $205.32 million scheme aimed at getting 40,000 Kiwis back in work, if her party wins the Sept. 19 polls.
