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WELLINGTON: New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern became the latest world leader on Monday (November 23) to congratulate President-elect Joe Biden on his election victory and said she offered to share her nation’s experience in the treatment of coronavirus.
Ardern said the tone of the 20-minute phone call was warm and that Biden spoke very favorably about how New Zealand was handling the pandemic.
“What has really been at the center of our response has been some fundamentals around testing, contact tracing and isolation,” Ardern said. “That is above what we have done on our borders.”
New Zealand has been highly successful in eliminating the virus after imposing a strict lockdown in March and closing its borders. Only 25 people in the nation of 5 million have died from COVID-19.
Ardern said that Biden wanted to continue the discussion on New Zealand’s response. But he cautioned that the nation’s model may not be replicated everywhere.
“While New Zealand has a number of natural advantages that have helped us control the virus, I absolutely believe that international cooperation remains key to controlling the virus,” Ardern said. “We are happy to work with any country.” to share our knowledge and data if it is useful. “
Ardern said she and Biden also discussed trade issues and climate change, and spoke about the president-elect’s Irish heritage and fond memories of his visit to New Zealand a few years ago. She said she invited him to visit again.
In a statement, Biden praised Ardern’s “extraordinary leadership” following a 2019 mass shooting at two Christchurch mosques, and as a working mother and role model.
