Jacinda Ardern’s university appointment draws a sharp attack from an Australian columnist

Jacinda Ardern’s move into a leadership role at the University of Sydney has prompted a sharply critical opinion piece, with writer Ben Crocker arguing that the former New Zealand prime minister is a poor fit for an academic setting. The article’s headline labels her “New Zealand’s wokest PM” and calls the university “Australia’s wokest uni,” setting a combative tone for its assessment. Crocker argues that Ardern represents qualities universities should avoid, claiming she did not turn rhetoric into results and lacked a grasp of the fundamentals of her chosen field. He also criticises what he describes as a preference for style over substance. These are the columnist’s opinions, rather than findings established in the short extract provided. The piece centres on Ardern’s appointment and the writer’s objections to it, but offers no specific examples in the supplied text to substantiate the broad claims. It also does not set out the duties of her new role or include a response from Ardern or the university. Its focus is the argument that her public record, in Crocker’s view, makes her an unsuitable figure for the institution to welcome. The headline’s provocative wording and the article’s pointed language frame the appointment as part of a wider debate about what universities should value in their leaders. Beyond Crocker’s stated criticisms, the excerpt provides no further detail about the appointment or the university’s reasons for bringing Ardern into the role.