New Zealand is a fast-rising star in the latest global rankings of ‘soft power’.

In the space of a year, we jumped from rank 22 to 16, off the back of a globally admired Covid strategy.

Germany came in number 1, the US dropped five points to number 6, and Australia came in at number 10.

Rebecca Smith, the director of New Zealand Story, told Heather du Plessis-Allan ‘soft power’ is traditionally been the ability to encourage others to do things you would like them to do.

"I think in today's society, with Covid, we have to think differently.

"Soft power is quite an honour. It's a position that comes with obligation."

She says New Zealand needs to consider what it would do with this power. 

Smith says that Jacinda Ardern's leadership has stood out on the world stage, and it has been a tremendous opportunity for New Zealand to get spotlighted through that.

However, the ranking looks at the entire country and our ideals, and how we respond to leadership. 

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