Undeniably New Zealand, viewed in this horrific backdrop, has managed to do something that many countries envied they could achieve. It could achieve this feat only to due to the leadership skill of its prime minister, Jacinda Ardern.

Like all other top leaders of the world, Donald Trump, Boris Johnson, Angela Merkel, Narendra Modi, the prime minister of New Zealand resorted to lockdown, but unlike the people of their countries, the Kiwis responded to her call and reposed trust in their leader. This is quite significant as it points to the index of trust of the people that Ardern enjoys.

The real lesson from New Zealand has been the combination of good science and leadership. Till date, New Zealand has carried out 51,165 tests. This achievement is quite significant in the backdrop of it having limited resources. It is worth mentioning that countries like the USA and the UK which had world's top science resources had failed to do justice to their people.

While Boris Johnson warned Britons that they should prepare to lose loved ones before their time, in sharp contrast Ardern said she would value people not just the economy, and responded to the threat fast. This attitude and approach of Ardern differentiates her from other world leaders.

Significantly the opinion surveys show extremely high levels of support Ardern enjoys: The ubiquitous. There is an overwhelming consensus that, while the individual and societal costs are huge, the right call has been made.

There are three factors why Ardern's coronavirus response has been giving most Western politicians a masterclass in crisis leadership. Mayfields' research-based model highlights her "direction-giving", "meaning-making" and "empathy" as the three key things that motivate followers to give their best. Epidemiologists professor Michael Baker said New Zealand had the "most decisive and strongest lockdown in the world at the moment" — and that New Zealand is "a huge standout as the only Western country that's got an elimination goal" for COVID-19.

It is essential that a leader should be public motivator but it's often done poorly. In most of the cases the world leaders are found to be faltering. They usually indulge in typical direction-giving mode while the other two elements are under-used. In contrast Ardern uses all three approaches. In directing New Zealanders to "stay home to save lives", she simultaneously offers meaning and purpose to what we are being asked to do. A recent poll shows 80 per cent support for the government's response to COVID-19.

On Thursday, the country reported 29 confirmed cases, bringing New Zealand's total to 1,239 — with only one death. Of those cases, only 14 are in hospital — and 317 have recovered. Ardern was absolutely right in claiming; “We are turning a corner, and our plan is working."

It is significant that New Zealand, with a population around 5 million, is halfway through a month-long lockdown aimed at not only containing the virus, but eliminating it. Once the Coronavirus raised its ugly head around the world the first action that Ardern took was to tighten border restrictions; those who arrive in the country will be required to spend two weeks quarantine in an approved facility, rather than self-isolating at home. Foreign nationals have been banned from entering the country since March 20.

She attributed the success to her countrymen; "At the halfway mark, I have no hesitation in saying that what New Zealanders have done over the last two weeks is huge. You made the decision that together, we could protect one other. And you have. You have saved lives."

In the fight against coronavirus, New Zealand had two key advantages: geography and time; On February 28, New Zealand confirmed its first case of coronavirus, well over a month after the United States confirmed its first case. And on March 29, the country confirmed its first — and so far, only — death.

Success is also being attributed to New Zealand for it being an island. But this is not the correct evaluation and analysis. It is not that people do not easily enter into an island country. But in New Zealand’s case Ardern acted decisively, put a ban on entry and ensured that none could enter without proper medical checkup. In fact Ardern herself admitted “being an island was a distinct advantage in our ability to eliminate the virus." But the fact remains that it was the strict vigil that paid.

When Ardern announced on March 14 that anyone entering the country would need to self isolate for two weeks, it was among the toughest border restrictions in the world. At the time, the country had six cases. When, on March 19, Ardern banned foreigners from entering the country, there were 28 confirmed cases. And on March 23, when Ardern announced that the country was going into lockdown, there were 102 confirmed cases — and no deaths.

It is argued that most of the people infected with virus were youth. But this is certainly not a tenable argument for lesser impact of the virus. The country has fairly large population of older people. But they preferred to follow the words of their leader. The reason why young Kiwis have a higher rate of coronavirus is travel; many young people rushed back to New Zealand after Ardern announced border restrictions.

Ardren has two plans at her hand. The first; plan A remains "stamping" the coronavirus out, there is a plan B, which involves preparing the health system for large numbers of severely ill people. New Zealand, which saw its first confirmed case on February 28, was on track to stop its outbreak before it ever had a chance to begin. That's likely thanks to early and decisive nationwide action by its government.

The key to success has been a straightforward, two-pronged strategy led by Prime Minister: On March 19, the government fully closed its borders to international visitors, and Ardern pushed a strong "stay home" message beginning early in the crisis, and implemented a strong social distancing order as of March 23. New Zealanders (including immigrants) have also received recurring payments from the government designed to make it easier to people to avoid working.

Though New Zealand has been successful in fighting the monster disease, it plans to keep strict physical distancing measures in place for some more months. If current trends continue, that could put the country on pace to begin reopening its society sooner than the U.S. or Europe.

New Zealanders mounting a 'wall of defence' was responsible for 'breaking the chain of transmission' after the country imposed a lockdown. Ardern’s bold decision involves a massive economic implications. But the people are listening to Ardern and are united behind her. They have been doing it even after being aware that the road ahead is littered with pitfalls.

It is not that Ardern is oblivious of the impending economic challenges. The spectre of a bleak future has already started troubling her and her finance minister Grant Robertson. In the midst of fighting corona, they are also working on the plan to shape the future. Tourism is a massive part of the economy and even if the government beats the virus, the risk of low flow of tourists would continue to haunt for many months. Ardern cannot lift the border restrictions simply for the sake of a foreseeable future.

New Zealand’s economy is particularly reliant on globalisation, and as such they are entirely exposed to world economic conditions, which would continue to be very grim for many months to come.

New Zealand is the only country whose health minister was demoted for ignoring national lockdown rules and driving his family to a beach 20km from his home. Dr David Clark apologised for the incident, saying it showed poor judgment at a time when all New Zealanders were being urged to stay at home and only exercise in their local area. He even described himself an “idiot” for deciding to drive his family 20km to the Doctor’s Point beach on the first weekend of lockdown. (IPA Service)