Former PM Jacinda Ardern captivated audiences on The Graham Norton Show, discussing her documentary, political life, and surprising career turns.

Former Prime Minister Dame Jacinda Ardern made her much-anticipated debut on The Graham Norton Show, joining a star-studded couch alongside Kate Winslet, Alan Carr, and Seth Meyers. Her appearance coincided with the UK release of her autobiographical documentary film, Prime Minister, and the conversation deftly balanced humour with candid reflections on the intensity of global leadership and the political climate.

Candid Discussion on Political Stress and Conflict

The interview covered several serious topics, providing a rare glimpse into the personal pressures of high office.

1. The “Punch” Incident and Economic Debates:
Norton played a highly discussed clip from her documentary, where Ardern reflected on a heated Parliamentary Question Time during the COVID-19 pandemic. In the clip, she described wanting to “punch” former National Party leader Simon Bridges after he yelled, “She doesn’t do the economy!” Ardern explained that this emotional reaction was due to the immense frustration of having her government’s strategy—which prioritized both saving lives and protecting the economy—trivialized during a crisis. She quickly added, “I should add I’m not a violent person,” to audience laughter.

2. The Decline in Popularity and Global Political Shift:
Norton questioned Ardern directly about why her popularity began to decline before she stepped down. Ardern stated that while she took responsibility for her time in office, the change was part of a larger, more aggressive, and hostile shift in the global political environment. She stressed the importance of maintaining decency in politics, making a public plea to the audience: “Don’t give up on the prospect that politics can be better. Expect decency in politics, expect kindness in your politics.

This is the video where Ardern says she auditioned for the Hobbit.

https://youtu.be/BBj7IkJRYAY?si=Gv-mzX6UqJABzrEU

3. Pregnancy and Coalition Talks:
Ardern shared the personal challenge of finding out she was pregnant shortly after the intense 2017 coalition negotiations that saw her become Prime Minister. She was praised by her fellow guest, Kate Winslet, for managing this historic personal event while immediately taking on the duties of leading a country.

Documentary Insights and Future Focus
The discussion about the documentary highlighted her hope that the film would humanize politicians, showing that “you can lead differently than perhaps the way we see in the world today.” While she firmly shut down questions about a return to politics with a definitive “No,” she affirmed her focus remains on her global advocacy roles, including her work with The Earthshot Prize.

Her appearance on such a prominent global talk-show reinforces Dame Jacinda Ardern’s enduring international appeal and influence as a compelling voice for progressive leadership. It was an unmissable show for anyone interested in political integrity and the true demands of empathetic leadership.