Why did Jacinda Ardern’s popularity decline during 2022?

During 2022, Jacinda Ardern’s popularity experienced a significant decline due to a combination of public dissatisfaction with government policies and broader economic pressures.12

Key factors contributing to this decline included:

• COVID-19 Policies: Many New Zealanders grew increasingly opposed to the government's pandemic response, specifically objecting to prolonged lockdowns and mandates that required vaccination for certain professions, such as teachers, police, and healthcare workers. Requirements for vaccine passes to enter stores and restaurants also fueled public frustration.13
• Economic Concerns: Growing anxiety regarding the rising cost of living and falling housing values negatively impacted public sentiment toward her administration.12
• Social and Political Backlash: Ardern faced intense opposition, including the rise of conspiracy theories and an increase in death threats. In February 2022, a large-scale protest involving a convoy of vehicles disrupted life in Wellington for weeks, mirroring tactics used by hard-line conservatives in Canada.13
• Perceptions of Governance: Some critics perceived an increase in violent crime, while some on the political left felt the government was too preoccupied with the pandemic at the expense of other social issues.3