According to the poll, commissioned by the TVNZ broadcaster, Ardern’s rating has climbed to 51 percent, thereby leaping 7 percentage points from February. The rating of the ruling Labour Party has gained 3 percentage points, reaching 48 percent.
The leader of the opposition New Zealand National Party, Simon Bridges, meanwhile, trails behind with only 5 percent of personal approval rating, which is the lowest point for him in his current capacity. His party, meanwhile, enjoys 40-percent approval rating.
Commenting on the poll, Ardern declined to speculate whether her tackling of the fallout of the Christchurch tragedy had impacted the rating.
"All I know is that I’m doing my job to the best of my ability. That’s what the public expects of me,” she said, as quoted by the broadcaster.
READ MORE: Why the Root Cause of Christchurch Bloodbath Lies Deeper Than Thought
The aforementioned tragic even took place on March 15, when a man opened fire in two mosques in New Zealand's eastern city of Christchurch, leaving 50 people killed and dozens injured. The arrested 28-year-old suspected shooter, Australian national Brenton Harrison Tarrant, explained his motives by his anti-Muslim and anti-migrant views. In the wake of the tragedy, Ardern announced a ban on military-style semi-automatic firearms and assault rifles.
READ MORE: New Zealand Parlt Votes to Amend Gun Laws Following Deadly Christchurch Massacre
