New Zealand has the youngest female prime minister in history

Jacinda Ardern, 37, became New Zealand's next prime minister after her party was backed by smaller parties to form a coalition.

Jacinda Ardern, 37, is expected to become New Zealand's new prime minister. Photo: Stuff.

With most votes counted, Ms Ardern's Labour Party came in second place behind the ruling National Party in New Zealand's September election, but no party won a majority.

Winston Peters, leader of the New Zealand First party, announced today his decision to form a coalition with the Labour Party. The new coalition will also be supported by the Greens. This will make Ms. Ardern expected to become the third female prime minister in New Zealand's history and the country's youngest leader in more than 150 years.

Ms Ardern has been compared to other young, charismatic leaders such as French President Emmanuel Macron and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.

New Zealand Prime Minister Bill English, leader of the National Party, has conceded defeat, according to the Guardian.

In the campaign ahead of the September general election, Ms. Ardern, a rising political star, targeted young New Zealanders with policies on education, housing and environmental benefits. Labour also promised to cut immigration by 30,000, a key theme of the New Zealand First party’s ideology.

Mr Peters, leader of the New Zealand First party, has been offered the position of deputy prime minister and is considering the post.

According to VNE