News
Evie Breese
Apr 06, 2020
When it comes to handling a crisis, there are few world leaders quite like New Zealand's prime minister Jacinda Ardern.
This week Ardern moved to reassure children who've had their lives upended by coronavirus lockdown that two very important people, the Easter Bunny and the Tooth Fairy, are still going to be around. Asked whether the Easter Bunny and the Tooth Fairy would be affected by coronavirus prevention measures, Ardern told Kiwi kids that exemptions will be made for these two.
New Zealand prime minister Jacinda Ardern confirms Easter Bunny is classed as an “essential worker” but it might be… https://t.co/JbOi9PMm2P— Daniel Rosney (@Daniel Rosney) 1586163308
At a recent press conference, a journalist asked a question “on a slightly different note”, but even before they got there, Ardern knew that the concerns from younger Kiwi’s would be about the Easter Bunny. They said:
We’ve had some correspondence from some younger viewers who are quite concerned this week – the Easter Bunny – have you considered any exemption for the Easter Bunny because of course he would be breaking the bubble of many families?
And without skipping a beat, Ardern replied:
You’ll be pleased to know that we do consider both the Easter Bunny and the Tooth Fairy essential workers.
What a RELIEF.
Though Ardern did have some caveats, and went on to explain that:
As you can imagine at this time they're going to be potentially quite busy at home with their own bunnies and so I say to the children of New Zealand: If the Easter Bunny doesn't make it to your household, we have to understand it's a bit difficult at the moment for the bunny to get everywhere.
But because the Easter Bunny might not make it everywhere this year, Ardern asked children to pitch in with their own Easter egg hunt.
She then launched “The big New Zealand Easter Egg hunt” via Instagram, seeking help “create an Easter egg hunt for all the children.”
Is your heart warmed yet? Because ours sure is.
The PM even invited children to email them over to her so that they can be posted on social media.
Ever a shining example of leading with compassion, Ardern has gained widespread praise online for taking the time to speak to children during this highly stressful period of their lives.
@DanielRosney This lady is absolutely utterly mindbogglingly AMAZING. I wish we had leadership like this in UK— Dr Becky 💙 (@Dr Becky 💙) 1586169062
@DanielRosney New Zealand prime minister Jacinda Ardern declares Tooth Fairy and Easter Bunny essential workers. Go… https://t.co/MiJoq1RYX3— Trevor Seemann (@Trevor Seemann) 1586175189
Premier of Western Australia, Mark McGowan got in on the act too, issuing an official “eggs-emption” to permit The Easter Bunny free travel “throughout the State of Western Australia for the essential service of Egg delivery.”
Here's the official eggs-emption: https://t.co/ZQeigemdqS— Mark McGowan (@Mark McGowan) 1585890014
Egg-cellent.
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