New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, internationally praised for her handling of the recent massacre in Christchurch, has been named on Time magazine's latest "100 most influential people" list.

The list features 48 women, including well-known actors, sportspeople and politicians, and represents the highest number of women included since Time magazine began annually publishing the list in 2004.

Those on the list are chosen by Time's editors around the world.

Key points: London Mayor Sadiq Khan called Ms Ardern's handling of the massacre in Christchurch an "inspiration to us all"

London Mayor Sadiq Khan called Ms Ardern's handling of the massacre in Christchurch an "inspiration to us all" Michelle Obama, US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and US Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez made Time's list

Michelle Obama, US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and US Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez made Time's list Donald Trump, Xi Jinping and Mark Zuckerberg were also named

"We have 48 women on the list this year, up from 45 last year," Time editor-in-chief and chief executive Edward Felsenthal told US program CBS This Morning.

"When we first started doing this in 2004 … there were 24," he said.

"Obviously still ways to go in our society.

"The list is in some ways a reflection of our society, but amazing year for the women on the list."

There are six different covers for this year's annual edition of Time magazine's 100 most influential people. ( Supplied )

Prominent guest authors such as Hillary Clinton and Madeleine Albright wrote short tributes for each of those named in the annual special edition.

Penned by London Mayor Sadiq Khan, Ms Ardern's entry on the list said that her handling of the March terror attacks in Christchurch was an "inspiration to us all".

"Not only is she delivering such swift action on gun control, she has sent a powerful message around the world about our shared values — that those who seek to divide us will never succeed," Mr Khan wrote.

"New Zealand will always protect and celebrate the diversity and openness that make our countries so great.

Space to play or pause, M to mute, left and right arrows to seek, up and down arrows for volume. Watch Duration: 1 minute 23 seconds 1 m 23 s Jacinda Ardern tells memorial 'we will remember the tears of our nation and the new resolve we have formed' (Photo: Reuters)

"We will never forget that when terror sent ripples of fear through communities around the world, New Zealand's Prime Minister proudly stood up for hope, unity and inclusiveness in the face of fear, division and hatred."

Globalised, multicultural future

Ms Ardern was in illustrious company, named alongside former US first lady Michelle Obama and tennis world number one Naomi Osaka.

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"She would've been impactful simply by being in the White House, the first African-American first lady," Beyonce Knowles-Carter wrote of Ms Obama.

"But she also used her position of power to improve the world around her."

Ms Osaka, the winner of the US Open and Australian Open at just 21 years old, was described as an "honest, polite, self-deprecating tennis life force, a potential champion for years to come" representing a "globalised, multicultural future".

US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and 29-year-old US Democratic Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez also featured on the list.

Other prominent figures included US President Donald Trump, his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping, Pope Francis and Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg.

Star cricketer turned Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan and Malaysian PM Mahathir Mohamad also made the list.

