A few months ago, New Zealand, and prime minister Jacinda Ardern specifically, was lauded for its approach to flattening the curve in terms of the country’s COVID-19 infection rate. It was rated the third safest country in the world by Deep Knowledge Group, just behind Israel and Singapore, and received praise from various news outlets regarding how it was doing more than simply flattening the curve but squashing it instead. 

New Zealand is one of the countries that has received worldwide praise for its approach to curbing the spread of Coronavirus. In April, it was ranked as the third safest country in the world regarding COVID-19 by an internationally renowned research group known as Deep Knowledge Group. New Zealand is second only to Israel and Singapore.  This accomplishment is due, in large part, to New Zealand’s prime minister, Jacinda Ardern,