The article offers a nuanced re-evaluation of Jacinda Ardern's leadership, arguing that her impact was neither as transformative nor as unique as often claimed. It suggests that much of her policy and approach mirrored those of her predecessors, and that the intense emotional reactions to her tenure reveal more about public sentiment than about her actual governance. The piece critiques the economic decisions of the Ardern government, particularly the delayed response to inflation and the surge in public spending that contributed to a structural deficit. It also highlights the success of the Families Package in reducing child poverty, though this progress reversed in later years due to macroeconomic missteps. In the context of the pandemic, the article argues that most New Zealand governments would have pursued a similar strategy, leveraging the country's geographic isolation and expert advice. It questions whether a National government under Bill English would have made significantly different decisions and explores the trade-offs between economic and social outcomes. The article concludes that Ardern's legacy is more ordinary than extraordinary, and the polarized reactions to her reflect the broader politicization of leadership in New Zealand rather than a truly unique set of achievements or failures.