Jacinda Ardern announces she and NZ Ministers will take a pay cut, but it didn’t inspire Australia.

In typical Jacinda Ardern fashion, the NZ Prime Minister showed the world what leadership looked like and announced a 20 percent cut to her pay and that of her ministers.

“I absolutely accept this is not going to change the government books but for us it’s about leadership,” she said.

“It’s an acknowledgement of the hit many New Zealanders are taking right now.”

The pay cut will last for about six months, the timeframe currently being put to the virus.

How much does she earn?

 Ardern takes home a comfortable $NZ 470,000 annually.

The six month pay cut will strip about $50,000 from that salary.

“We felt 20 percent was the right place,” Ardern said

“It’s just an acknowledgement that we could make as leaders.”

Cut not welcome down under

Despite the show of solidarity from cousins from across the big blue, the announcement did not change the Australian Government’s position.

Treasurer Josh Frydenberg told journalists in Canberra on Wednesday, the Australian Government had decided on a pay “freeze” – meaning no rise in pay – during COVID-19

“That’s the action that we’ve taken,” he said.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison earns more than Ardern, taking home more than half a million dollars annually.

The PM’s salary last year was $549,229, which is higher than many world leaders including not only New Zealand but Germany too.

Watch: Jacinda Ardern update on the COVID-19 response

More Perth coronavirus updates on SoPerth.com.au.