Denmark to raise retirement age to 70 by 2040, highest in Europe

Jacinda Ardern on her cancer scare and a chilling public bathroom encounter

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11 hours ago

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Jacinda Ardern on her cancer scare and a chilling public bathroom encounter

The world's media is lining up to interview Dame Jacinda Ardern about her memoir, A Different Kind of Power – CBS, BBC, even Oprah. But as the former prime minister sits down to talk to Seven Sharp, she insists the impression she makes on Kiwis matters most. 'I'm sweating just as much as I did with Oprah,' she tells Hilary Barry in a conversation that traverses fertility, public hostility and the cancer scare that sparked her decision to resign. "The question for me was, could I keep going and do the job well?" – Watch this story on TVNZ+ In the middle of 2022 Dame Jacinda Ardern was standing by the stalls in an airport toilet when a member of the public approached her and delivered what initially sounded like a compliment. 'I just want to say thank you,' she said to the then Prime Minister of New Zealand. And then came the punchline: 'Thank you for ruining the country.' ADVERTISEMENT Hilary Barry quotes the passage to Dame Jacinda from her new memoir. 'People who thought ill of politicians had always been out there, I'd known that, but it felt as if something had changed recently, as if people's restraint had slackened.' Dame Jacinda picks up the thread. 'It's certainly not the case that I felt like I was in any personal danger but... there you are on your own by a toilet stall and someone comes in and has a go.' She didn't mind challenge or debate, she says. 'Those are the things you expect, but there was an extra layer that I just noticed in the latter part of my time in office, and I think other politicians, not just in New Zealand but around the world, globally, would say that they've noticed this as well... The former Prime Minister was asked by Seven Sharp's Hilary Barry whether she could return to New Zealand without being given a hard time. (Source: Seven Sharp) 'Was it the stress and the anxiety and the difficulty of Covid? Maybe... All I can say is, in the 15 years I was in office, I did notice a shift.' Covid 19. Vaccines. Mandates. The angry 23-day occupation of Parliament. Looking back, 2022 can seem surreal to any of us. But as Dame Jacinda tells Barry, Covid was far from the only challenge in an intense five years in office that included the Mycoplasma Bovis, the eruption of Whakaari/White Island with its devastating consequences, and the most horrific act of terrorism the country has ever experienced, the Christchurch Mosque massacre. Flowers and tributes are laid at the Botanic Gardens on March 18, 2019. (Source: Fair Go) ADVERTISEMENT 'It was a really hard five years for New Zealand and for those who had the privilege of leading New Zealand at that time,' she says. 'I've said many times, I could have kept going. But the question for me was, could I keep going and do the job well?' When a doctor discovered a lump in her breast toward the end of 2022, a thought that had probably been brewing for some time suddenly loomed large. 'Maybe this will be what allows me to leave,' Dame Jacinda remembers thinking. Although she adds: 'I want to be careful about not wanting to overplay it. Because women have these kinds of scares all of the time.' It wasn't cancer. That anxiety passed, but the other big question remained: 'What kind of state was I in if I was seeing cancer, not just as a devastating possibility, but as a ticket out of office?' Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announces her resignation (Source: Getty) IVF and secret Sunday scans When the prospect of being our next prime minister first arose in 2017, Dame Jacinda was 37 and, unbeknown to most, undergoing fertility treatment with her then-partner-now-husband Clarke Gayford. ADVERTISEMENT Jacinda Ardern and partner Clarke Gayford on election night, September 2017. Although the result was unclear on the night, Ardern went on to form a coalition government with the New Zealand First Party and Green Party with herself as prime minister. (Source: Getty) By the time Winston Peters had made his fateful choice of coalition partner, making her the world's youngest female head of state, Dame Jacinda had known for six days that she was pregnant. Two dizzying, life-changing moments happening within the space of a week – one nationwide news, the other still a fragile secret. It was 'fairly overwhelming,' she tells Barry. 'I tried my best to describe it on the page.' Dame Jacinda's first pregnancy scan took place on a Sunday night, her obstetrician booking her in under a fake name. 'It was like a covert operation, the whole thing. There were very few people who knew,' she says. 'It was a strange time. You want to be really joyous, but I also knew that I had to demonstrate that my key focus was doing my job. The fewer people who knew the better.' When the reality of balancing new motherhood with a massive role first hit home, Dame Jacinda did as anyone would do and turned to an older woman for advice. Except, in her case, it was Queen Elizabeth II. 'She just very matter of factly said to me... 'Well, you just get on with it'. And to a certain extent that's absolutely true,' she says. 'The only thing to do was just put one foot in front of the other and just get on with it.' This probably wasn't the moment the Queen told Dame Jacinda to "get on with it". (Source: Getty) ADVERTISEMENT The weight of the world Covid 19 came along in the final year of Dame Jacinda's first term in office and her high-profile handling of the situation was widely credited for her landslide victory in October 2020. Jacinda Ardern is interviewed after claiming victory during the Labor Party Election Night Function at Auckland Town Hall on October 17, 2020. (Source: Getty) But two years later the 'shift' she describes had occurred. The pandemic had now divided New Zealand and even Dame Jacinda's ardent supporters could see a change in the once charismatic leader. 'You told your chief of staff before you resigned that you felt like you'd become a political lightning rod, a flashpoint,' says Barry. 'Do you still feel that way as far as New Zealand is concerned?' As prime minister, Jacinda Ardern became the focus of much of the anti-vaccination movement of 2022. (Source: Getty) Dame Jacinda doesn't quite answer the question, returning instead to the 'flashpoint' era following the height of the pandemic when she felt she'd become 'a reminder of a really difficult period for everyone'. ADVERTISEMENT 'I did believe, rightly or wrongly, that perhaps if I removed myself, that might bring down the temperature,' she says. 'And then that would be good for politics, it would be good for my party and perhaps it would be good for the election as well.' Dame Jacinda and Clarke Gayford, directly after her resignation. (Source: TVNZ) And maybe good for Dame Jacinda too. She resigned at the beginning of 2023 and is now based at Harvard University in Massachusetts, where she occupies a range of educational and international roles. 'You look like someone, and I hope you don't mind me saying this, who no longer has the weight of the country on their shoulders,' Barry tells her. 'Does it feel that way?' Dame Jacinda agrees it does. That feeling of a heavy load off was immediate, she says, happening the minute she walked out of Government House. 'That's not to say it hasn't taken a bit of time to decompress.' She's still not good at relaxing. 'I don't really sit still but maybe I'm coming to terms with the fact that might just be my personality... Worrying about the world, thinking of what I can do to be useful... But that's very different from carrying the day-to-day responsibility.' And worrying is something Dame Jacinda has always done. Her memoir tells of her mother taking her to the doctor as a thin-skinned child who experienced anxiety-related tummy aches. She once, to her embarrassment, cried in the classroom when the teacher played the children Peace Train by Cat Stevens. Decades later her tears would roll again when Stevens (now Yusaf Islam) sang that song in Hagley Park after the Christchurch Mosque Massacre. ADVERTISEMENT It was definitely not the only time she cried as prime minister. But that's the key message of A Different Kind of Power – leadership no longer needs to be associated with poker-faced stoicism. Jacinda Ardern hugs a mosque attendee in Wellington on March 17, 2019, two days after the Christchurch tragedy. (Source: Getty) 'A goal of the book is to try and encourage people who may have those character traits to stop necessarily seeing them as weaknesses,' Dame Jacinda tells Barry. 'If you over prepare, it's going to make you a better decision maker; if you bring in a bit of humility, it's going to mean you bring in the best advice.' The book is dedicated to 'the cryers, the huggers and the worriers'. Hilary Barry, happy to identify to at least two of the three, says after the interview that she reached for the tissues a few times while reading the memoir. It was a particular story from Dame Jacinda's childhood that got her. She was also fascinated by Ardern's apparent issues with a certain former Labour leader. And, Barry says, she laughed too, particularly at Ardern's account of practising at home for her job in a fish'n'chip shop by wrapping cabbages in newspapers. ADVERTISEMENT As the book makes clear: nothing wrong with a bit of anxious prep. "The question for me was, could I keep going and do the job well?" – Watch this story on TVNZ+ or catch it on Seven Sharp tomorrow night.

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2 days ago

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Cultivating A Brighter Future In Maka: A Story Of Resilience And Revitalization In West Sepik, Papua New Guinea

Press Release – EU STREIT PNG Once struggling with low agricultural productivity and limited market access, an isolated rural community in West Sepik Province of Papua New Guinea has been transformed into a centre for valuable commodity production, thanks to the EU-STREIT PNG Programme. This shift is not only enhancing the villagers' living conditions but also paving the way for growth and prosperity of future generations. Vanimo, Papua New Guinea – In the remote stretches of Vanimo Green River, West Sepik Province of Papua New Guinea, the Maka community lived for years with a very limited agricultural commodity production. Rugged terrain and poorly maintained roads coupled with lack of any established market in the region also heavily impacted the daily life and livelihood leading to a state of seclusion. Basic amenities like education, healthcare, and transportation were often out of reach which left local families to face constant hardship. Generations grew up with these challenges, with little hope of unlocking their community's potential. Joseph, the Chairman of the Fugumi Cocoa Business Group, recalls those difficult times: 'We wanted to start a business but had less opportunity to sell our produce,' which was of low volume and quality. Referring to challenge they face due to lack of income, he adds, 'finding school fees was difficult [for us], and even [nutritious, protein-rich] food was hard to afford.' His words highlight the struggle in Maka, a place where promising crops, such as cocoa and vanilla, were lost due to low productivity, and infestation. Even if there were the quality products, they were suffered from the absence of accessible markets. For many, this isolation was equal to missed opportunities for economic progress. For Damia, the spouse of Joseph, life had been equally challenging. Interrupted by illness during her early schooling: 'I became very sick and had to leave school in Grade 5', because they had not enough money for treatment. She experienced firsthand the long-term impact of an education cut short. Now, every morning as she feeds their fish at the family ponds, she reminds her children of the importance of seizing every opportunity: 'I tell my children, 'You must do well to have a good future.'' Her determined voice, tempered by past hardships, fuels the hope that her children will break free of the limitations that once defined her lives. A Transformative Partnership Change began with the arrival of the EU-STREIT PNG Programme, an initiative aimed at reviving key agricultural value chains such as cocoa, fisheries, and vanilla. Funded by the European Union and implemented by FAO, ILO, ITU, UNCDF, and UNDP, the Programme is designed to improve these sectors by addressing gaps from production to market. The Programme provided vital technical training, agricultural inputs, and cocoa value chain support that had long been unaffordable or inaccessible to the villagers. Maka's farmers gained access to pest-tolerant seedlings, polybags, shed cloth, essential farming tools, nursery materials, and fermentary kits, alongside training in cocoa budding, block management, harvesting, post-harvesting as well as business development and management. Through this support, 40 farmers from the community were enabled to plant 4,033 pest-tolerant cloned cocoa seedlings, which transformed their rundown block fields into productive plots. These resources were more than just physical tools, they symbolized a renewed hope. Reflecting on support received, Joseph recalls, 'When I saw these things, I was very happy.' Building on the Programme's agricultural initiatives in cocoa, support was also extended to aquaculture within the community. In June 2024, the Programme supported Joseph and Damia to stock 400 fingerlings in their only fishpond, initiating aquaculture freshwater fish farming. Within 6–7 months, the fish matured quickly, leading to a high fingerling production rate, allowing the family to expand their fishpond from one to three, and to distribute 50–100 fingerlings to cluster groups and individuals in surrounding area. This expansion, driven by Programme intervention, is strengthening fish farming in Maka, increasing profitability and nutrition for involved households. This blend of expertise and resources empowered Maka's farmers to adopt sustainable, climate-smart practices, setting them on a path toward long-term prosperity. Revitalizing Production and Market Access One of the Programme's greatest achievements was restoring market access for Maka's agricultural produce. Previously, isolation and lack of reliable trading point meant that even the best harvests were left to perish in the fields with no buyer. With the EU-STREIT PNG support, a Cocoa Trade and Depot Facility was constructed and established in Vanimo, the provincial capital, serving as a robust outlet for local produce. Trucks now make regular trips from Vanimo to Maka, transporting much-needed supplies and returning with cocoa beans. The arrival of these trucks has brought great relief and confidence to the villagers. Damia smiles with gratitude: 'Trucks finally reach our village. They help us sell cocoa, and I am happy.' This improved cocoa market infrastructure has not only revitalized the local economy but also inspired farmers to venture in better pot-harvest processing. Supported by the Programme, they constructed a cocoa fermentary in Maka, so that beans can be processed on-site and fetch higher market prices. Empowering Families Through Self-Reliance Beyond the tangible economic benefits, the Programme's impact is deeply personal. For Damia and Joseph, the changes go hand in hand with a renewed sense of independence. Every day, Damia tends to their fishponds with unwavering commitment, a task that often requires her to wake before dawn and go into the bush to secure extra nourishment for the fish. 'No one helps me, only my husband and I,' she says, capturing the spirit of self-reliance that now defines their daily life. This newfound independence plays a crucial role in shaping their future. Damia is determined to ensure her children, who attend schools in both Maka and Vanimo, have educational opportunities she never had. Meanwhile, Joseph dreams of a future where his children can break free of the legacy of missed opportunities. 'I dream of my children achieving their goals,' he confesses. Toward a Brighter Future Today, Maka is well on its way to emerging from its long history of seclusion. The the adoption of efficient agricultural techniques coupled with the restoration of market linkages have set the stage for sustainable development. As Damia reflects on the journey, her gratitude is evident: 'Thank you for everything, thank you for the fish and cocoa you provided, and thank you for all the support. We now have these things, and we feel very happy.' Her heartfelt words echo the sentiment of a community poised for change. Together, Joseph, Damia, and their neighbours are not only rewriting the story of Maka—they are forging a collective path toward a future defined by resilience, cooperation, and hope. Ensuring Long-Term Sustainability Sustainability is at the heart of the EU-STREIT PNG Programme's vision for lasting change. While the Programme rehabilitated a cocoa nursery to support local farmers in Maka to revitalize their cocoa blocks, long-term success depends on continued government ownership and investment. Recognizing this, the Cocoa Board of Papua New Guinea has now stepped in to oversee and support the nursery, ensuring its continued operation and benefit to the community. In parallel, the Cocoa Tarde and Depot Facility is handed over to be run by West Sepik Investment Limited, the business arm of the Provincial Government. The This transition reflects the Programme's core objective which is empowering institutions to take ownership so that these advancements endure beyond Programme interventions, and to foster a sustainable cocoa business in for Maka. A Flagship under the EU's Global Gateway EU-STREIT PNG contributes to the EU's Global Gateway Strategy by driving rural transformation through climate-resilient agriculture, sustainable infrastructure, and digital innovation. As the first articulation of the Strategy in Papua New Guinea, the Programme enhances market access for remote farmers by improving transport links, expanding digital tools for real-time farming advice and weather alerts, and promoting clean energy use. These 'smart, clean, and secure' solutions reduce transaction costs, boost productivity, and strengthen food security and incomes, delivering tangible impact in line with the EU's global development vision. About the EU-STREIT PNG Programme The EU-STREIT PNG Programme, is the European Union's largest grant-funded initiative in the country being implemented as a United Nations Joint Programme by FAO, ILO, ITU, UNCDF and UNDP. It focuses on boosting sustainable and inclusive economic development in rural areas. This is achieved by FAO's support in enhancing economic returns and opportunities within cocoa, vanilla, and fisheries value chains. Additionally, the Programme strengthens and improves the efficiency of value chain enablers, including access to Information & Communication Technology (ICT) by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and digital financial services by UNCDF. ILO also supports the development of sustainable, climate-resilient roads and other transport infrastructures while UNDP provides renewable energy solutions. The Programme directly benefits two provinces: East Sepik and West Sepik.

Scoop

2 days ago

Scoop

Cultivating A Brighter Future In Maka: A Story Of Resilience And Revitalization In West Sepik, Papua New Guinea

Press Release – EU STREIT PNG Once struggling with low agricultural productivity and limited market access, an isolated rural community in West Sepik Province of Papua New Guinea has been transformed into a centre for valuable commodity production, thanks to the EU-STREIT PNG Programme. This shift is not only enhancing the villagers' living conditions but also paving the way for growth and prosperity of future generations. Vanimo, Papua New Guinea – In the remote stretches of Vanimo Green River, West Sepik Province of Papua New Guinea, the Maka community lived for years with a very limited agricultural commodity production. Rugged terrain and poorly maintained roads coupled with lack of any established market in the region also heavily impacted the daily life and livelihood leading to a state of seclusion. Basic amenities like education, healthcare, and transportation were often out of reach which left local families to face constant hardship. Generations grew up with these challenges, with little hope of unlocking their community's potential. Joseph, the Chairman of the Fugumi Cocoa Business Group, recalls those difficult times: 'We wanted to start a business but had less opportunity to sell our produce,' which was of low volume and quality. Referring to challenge they face due to lack of income, he adds, 'finding school fees was difficult [for us], and even [nutritious, protein-rich] food was hard to afford.' His words highlight the struggle in Maka, a place where promising crops, such as cocoa and vanilla, were lost due to low productivity, and infestation. Even if there were the quality products, they were suffered from the absence of accessible markets. For many, this isolation was equal to missed opportunities for economic progress. For Damia, the spouse of Joseph, life had been equally challenging. Interrupted by illness during her early schooling: 'I became very sick and had to leave school in Grade 5', because they had not enough money for treatment. She experienced firsthand the long-term impact of an education cut short. Now, every morning as she feeds their fish at the family ponds, she reminds her children of the importance of seizing every opportunity: 'I tell my children, 'You must do well to have a good future.'' Her determined voice, tempered by past hardships, fuels the hope that her children will break free of the limitations that once defined her lives. A Transformative Partnership Change began with the arrival of the EU-STREIT PNG Programme, an initiative aimed at reviving key agricultural value chains such as cocoa, fisheries, and vanilla. Funded by the European Union and implemented by FAO, ILO, ITU, UNCDF, and UNDP, the Programme is designed to improve these sectors by addressing gaps from production to market. The Programme provided vital technical training, agricultural inputs, and cocoa value chain support that had long been unaffordable or inaccessible to the villagers. Maka's farmers gained access to pest-tolerant seedlings, polybags, shed cloth, essential farming tools, nursery materials, and fermentary kits, alongside training in cocoa budding, block management, harvesting, post-harvesting as well as business development and management. Through this support, 40 farmers from the community were enabled to plant 4,033 pest-tolerant cloned cocoa seedlings, which transformed their rundown block fields into productive plots. These resources were more than just physical tools, they symbolized a renewed hope. Reflecting on support received, Joseph recalls, 'When I saw these things, I was very happy.' Building on the Programme's agricultural initiatives in cocoa, support was also extended to aquaculture within the community. In June 2024, the Programme supported Joseph and Damia to stock 400 fingerlings in their only fishpond, initiating aquaculture freshwater fish farming. Within 6–7 months, the fish matured quickly, leading to a high fingerling production rate, allowing the family to expand their fishpond from one to three, and to distribute 50–100 fingerlings to cluster groups and individuals in surrounding area. This expansion, driven by Programme intervention, is strengthening fish farming in Maka, increasing profitability and nutrition for involved households. This blend of expertise and resources empowered Maka's farmers to adopt sustainable, climate-smart practices, setting them on a path toward long-term prosperity. Revitalizing Production and Market Access One of the Programme's greatest achievements was restoring market access for Maka's agricultural produce. Previously, isolation and lack of reliable trading point meant that even the best harvests were left to perish in the fields with no buyer. With the EU-STREIT PNG support, a Cocoa Trade and Depot Facility was constructed and established in Vanimo, the provincial capital, serving as a robust outlet for local produce. Trucks now make regular trips from Vanimo to Maka, transporting much-needed supplies and returning with cocoa beans. The arrival of these trucks has brought great relief and confidence to the villagers. Damia smiles with gratitude: 'Trucks finally reach our village. They help us sell cocoa, and I am happy.' This improved cocoa market infrastructure has not only revitalized the local economy but also inspired farmers to venture in better pot-harvest processing. Supported by the Programme, they constructed a cocoa fermentary in Maka, so that beans can be processed on-site and fetch higher market prices. Empowering Families Through Self-Reliance Beyond the tangible economic benefits, the Programme's impact is deeply personal. For Damia and Joseph, the changes go hand in hand with a renewed sense of independence. Every day, Damia tends to their fishponds with unwavering commitment, a task that often requires her to wake before dawn and go into the bush to secure extra nourishment for the fish. 'No one helps me, only my husband and I,' she says, capturing the spirit of self-reliance that now defines their daily life. This newfound independence plays a crucial role in shaping their future. Damia is determined to ensure her children, who attend schools in both Maka and Vanimo, have educational opportunities she never had. Meanwhile, Joseph dreams of a future where his children can break free of the legacy of missed opportunities. 'I dream of my children achieving their goals,' he confesses. Toward a Brighter Future Today, Maka is well on its way to emerging from its long history of seclusion. The the adoption of efficient agricultural techniques coupled with the restoration of market linkages have set the stage for sustainable development. As Damia reflects on the journey, her gratitude is evident: 'Thank you for everything, thank you for the fish and cocoa you provided, and thank you for all the support. We now have these things, and we feel very happy.' Her heartfelt words echo the sentiment of a community poised for change. Together, Joseph, Damia, and their neighbours are not only rewriting the story of Maka—they are forging a collective path toward a future defined by resilience, cooperation, and hope. Ensuring Long-Term Sustainability Sustainability is at the heart of the EU-STREIT PNG Programme's vision for lasting change. While the Programme rehabilitated a cocoa nursery to support local farmers in Maka to revitalize their cocoa blocks, long-term success depends on continued government ownership and investment. Recognizing this, the Cocoa Board of Papua New Guinea has now stepped in to oversee and support the nursery, ensuring its continued operation and benefit to the community. In parallel, the Cocoa Tarde and Depot Facility is handed over to be run by West Sepik Investment Limited, the business arm of the Provincial Government. The This transition reflects the Programme's core objective which is empowering institutions to take ownership so that these advancements endure beyond Programme interventions, and to foster a sustainable cocoa business in for Maka. A Flagship under the EU's Global Gateway EU-STREIT PNG contributes to the EU's Global Gateway Strategy by driving rural transformation through climate-resilient agriculture, sustainable infrastructure, and digital innovation. As the first articulation of the Strategy in Papua New Guinea, the Programme enhances market access for remote farmers by improving transport links, expanding digital tools for real-time farming advice and weather alerts, and promoting clean energy use. These 'smart, clean, and secure' solutions reduce transaction costs, boost productivity, and strengthen food security and incomes, delivering tangible impact in line with the EU's global development vision. About the EU-STREIT PNG Programme The EU-STREIT PNG Programme, is the European Union's largest grant-funded initiative in the country being implemented as a United Nations Joint Programme by FAO, ILO, ITU, UNCDF and UNDP. It focuses on boosting sustainable and inclusive economic development in rural areas. This is achieved by FAO's support in enhancing economic returns and opportunities within cocoa, vanilla, and fisheries value chains. Additionally, the Programme strengthens and improves the efficiency of value chain enablers, including access to Information & Communication Technology (ICT) by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and digital financial services by UNCDF. ILO also supports the development of sustainable, climate-resilient roads and other transport infrastructures while UNDP provides renewable energy solutions. The Programme directly benefits two provinces: East Sepik and West Sepik.

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Jacinda Ardern on her cancer scare and a chilling public bathroom encounter

Cultivating A Brighter Future In Maka: A Story Of Resilience And Revitalization In West Sepik, Papua New Guinea

Cultivating A Brighter Future In Maka: A Story Of Resilience And Revitalization In West Sepik, Papua New Guinea

Denmark to raise retirement age to 70 by 2040, highest in Europe

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Jacinda Ardern on her cancer scare and a chilling public bathroom encounter

Cultivating A Brighter Future In Maka: A Story Of Resilience And Revitalization In West Sepik, Papua New Guinea

Cultivating A Brighter Future In Maka: A Story Of Resilience And Revitalization In West Sepik, Papua New Guinea

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