Jacinda Ardern Reflects on Popularity Decline on Graham Norton Show

Former Prime Minister Dame Jacinda Ardern addressed the reasons behind her declining public approval ratings during her recent appearance on The Graham Norton Show. The episode, which aired on Saturday morning (NZT), was part of her media tour in the United Kingdom to promote her documentary, Prime Minister.

During the show, host Graham Norton inquired about the factors that contributed to her popularity drop before her resignation in January 2023. He asked, “What went wrong? What was the tipping point?” In her response, Ardern highlighted a significant shift in the global political landscape. She noted an increase in aggression and hostility aimed at political leaders worldwide.

“I don’t think it is just any one leader who has experienced that shift,” Ardern said. “It has shifted, and amongst all of that, I do think we’re at a moment in time.” She urged viewers not to lose hope in the potential for politics to improve, emphasizing the need for decency and kindness in political discourse. “Expect decency in politics, expect kindness in your politics. I do think we will come back to that,” she added.

Support from Peers and Personal Challenges

Ardern received praise from Kate Winslet, a guest on the show, for her resilience during a challenging time in her career. Winslet commended Ardern for managing her pregnancy while engaged in coalition talks with New Zealand First after the 2017 election. Just a week later, Ardern became Prime Minister when Winston Peters agreed to form a government with the Labour Party.

“Oh my god, she is so amazing,” Winslet exclaimed, highlighting the significance of Ardern’s achievements during this period.

While the episode has already been broadcast internationally, it is set to air in New Zealand on the TVNZ app starting from December 12, 2023.

In addition to her appearance on the panel show, Ardern spoke with BBC Radio 4 about her experience keeping her pregnancy private for 20 weeks. She described dealing with severe morning sickness and nausea while maintaining her responsibilities as a leader. Ardern expressed her determination to demonstrate that it is possible to be both a competent leader and a present mother.

“I am not going to lie, those first 20 weeks were hard, but they were also doable,” she remarked, reflecting on the challenges she faced during this unique period in her life.

Ardern’s insights and experiences continue to resonate, shedding light on the complexities of leadership in a changing political climate. Her message encourages a renewed commitment to kindness and decency in politics, a sentiment that many hope will guide future leaders.