Why was Jacinda Ardern described as a “rock star” politician during the 2017 campaign?

During the 2017 election campaign, Jacinda Ardern was characterized as a "rock star" politician due to the surge of public enthusiasm known as "Jacindamania" that followed her appointment as leader of the New Zealand Labour Party in August 2017.123

Her rapid rise in popularity was driven by her charismatic optimism, down-to-earth charm, and strength, which energized voters—particularly young people and women. Pundits drew comparisons between her and other charismatic leaders like Barack Obama and Justin Trudeau as she campaigned on a platform promising a "fairer deal" for the marginalized, including policies such as free university education and programs to reduce child poverty.2

While her opponent, Bill English, attempted to dismiss her appeal as mere "stardust," her ability to revitalize a struggling party and connect with the electorate led to her reputation as a "rock star" figure, ultimately paving the way for her to become New Zealand’s youngest prime minister in over 150 years.12