The COVID-19 pandemic that began in early 2020 continues to wreak havoc on the world. At the height of the pandemic in 2020, New Zealand is one of the few states that was able to keep the pandemic at bay with relatively low infection and death rates. The exemplary nature of New Zealand’s pandemic management propelled its young Prime Minister – Jacinda Ardern – to global political fame and led to a convincing electoral victory in the October 2020 general election. Indeed, since the NZ’s adoption of the MMP in 1996, no political party has ever won over 50% of the legislative seats in an election and coalition governments have become the norm. Yet, the Ardern-led Labour Party managed to be the first party to win an outright majority. In this paper, we examine the convergence of adept handling of the COVID-19 pandemic, the role of public opinion, and the political leadership of Ardern and her cabinet members in political change in New Zealand during these uncertain times.