Green MP Chlöe Swarbrick makes Fortune's 40 Under 40 list of world's most influential people

New Zealand politician Chlöe Swarbrick has been named in Fortune magazine's 40 Under 40 list, celebrating the world's most influential people under the age of 40.

Her inclusion follows an expansion to the list from previous years, when 40 people were named in total. This year's list sees 40 people named in each of five categories: finance, technology, health care, government and politics, and media and entertainment.

The Green MP appears in Fortune's government and politics category, alongside teen climate justice activist Isra Hirsi and two of Trump's White House press secretaries, Kayleigh McEnany and Sarah Huckabee Sanders.

In a profile celebrating her successes, Fortune wrote that Swarbrick had always been more about taking action than talking.

"She discovered that only 34 percent of the [Auckland] electorate had cast a vote in the previous mayoral election. So she did what came naturally to her and decided to do something about it. She ran for mayor of Auckland at age 22.

"The 2016 race was unsuccessful, but it launched a career in politics that ultimately led to her joining the Green Party and winning a spot in the New Zealand Parliament the following year."

Fortune writes that her "most poignant moment" came in 2019 - a heated exchange with former National leader Todd Muller about climate change that was picked up across the world.

"Muller interrupted Swarbrick in the middle of a speech about a zero-carbon bill that she was advocating. Swarbrick's reply? 'OK, boomer.' The remark went viral..."

Swarbrick told Newshub it was awesome that "the Green kaupapa of ecological and social responsibility" had received mainstream recognition.

"That's been built by years of work by generations of green leaders. We stand on the shoulders of giants, and I am proud to continue their mahi," she said.

Swarbrick's not the first Kiwi to be named on Fortune's 40 Under 40. In 2018, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern made the cut, with the magazine citing a sudden rise to popularity, an election victory and having a baby while in office as reasons for her inclusion.

Ardern is no longer eligible for the list, having turned 40 in July.

Among the best-known people on this year's list include pop sensation Beyoncé, talk show host Trevor Noah, Formula 1 legend Lewis Hamilton, Fleabag creator Phoebe Waller-Bridge, film director Greta Gerwig and TikTok star Charli D'Amelio.