Jacinda ardern rules out return to politics 20260602 p6032p.html – Breaking News & Latest Updates 2026
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Jacinda Ardern rules out return to politics

Tom Livingstone
Tom Livingstone

Updated . First published at

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From the Christchurch terror attack in 2019, to the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown, Jacinda Ardern has led New Zealand through some of the largest challenges the country has ever witnessed.

But after five years in the top job, the former prime minister shocked the world by choosing to step down.

Jacinda Ardern joined Today hosts, Karl and Sarah in studio this morning. Today

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Despite maintaining popularity during her time in the role, the 45-year-old and her family recently moved to Australia, and she has no plans to return to politics as an honorary Aussie.

“That’s a hard no, a hard, hard no - I’m even reluctant about the Parent Teacher Association at school,” the mother-of-one told Today.

But despite leading a more private life since stepping down from her role as PM three years ago, there are still causes close to her heart.

“That time has passed really quickly, I think in part because I have kept busy writing and working on projects like climate change, violent extremism online and I work on leadership, so it’s been a busy time… but also more family time as well,” she said.

“I enjoy being small, I enjoy the privacy of just living a very normal life… but at the same time there are things I really want to change in this world and I decided if that means being in the public eye still, then I am willing to do that.”

Ardern has published a new book, What If You Could, which profiles her upbringing and time in politics and is available to purchase and download where all good books are available.

Watch her full interview with Today in the video above.

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