Jacinda Ardern's former teacher has revealed he always expected former pupil Jacinda Ardern to become Prime Minister, but yesterday's swearing in ceremony occurred a lot sooner than he envisioned.
As one of Prime Minister Ardern's five invited guests to witness the ceremony in Wellington yesterday, Paraparaumu College Principal and former Morrinsville history teacher Gregor Fountain said there were few more gratifying experiences as an educator.
"It's hard to think of a more exciting or fulfilling experience," Mr Fountain said.
"Education is all about the future, it's about preparing young people for the future and to see someone do this in this sort of way is extremely exciting.
"So it was an absolute honour and delight to be there."
Mr Fountain said he had a good front row seat for the ceremony, and was informed of his invitation last Saturday.
"She sent me a text and said 'oh, do you want to come along to the event?'" Mr Fountain said.
"That was the key moment where the invitation was thrown.
"I was really quite emotional. Obviously we've tracked her political progress quite closely and I think we always thought this day would come, but it has come really quick. It's extremely exciting."
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