New Zealand's Jacinda Ardern takes 20% pay cut during coronavirus pandemic

New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has confirmed that she and other top officials in the country are taking a 20% pay cut for six months due to the coronavirus.

Ardern, who earns around £230,000, said she wanted to acknowledge the community’s sacrifices in dealing with the virus, adding that now is the time “to close the gap between groups of people across New Zealand in different positions”.

New Zealand currently has 1,386 people infected with the new virus, with a total of 9 deaths.

The symbolic pay cut applies to government ministers and chief executives of government organisations.