New Zealand’s leader Jacinda Ardern takes Covid-19 pay cut

New Zealand’s Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern will take a 20 per cent pay cut for the next six months amid the coronavirus pandemic.

The salary reduction would also apply to government ministers and public service chief executives, Ardern said as she announced the move in a press conference on Wednesday.

“It’s about leadership,” she said.

“If there was ever a time to close the gap between different positions, it’s now.”

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Ardern emphasized the salary cut would not apply for public service workers on the front-line, such as police officers or health workers.

Ardern currently earns about 470,000 New Zealand dollars a year (285,700 dollars), while cabinet ministers earn about 300,000 New Zealand dollars. (dpa)