What has Jacinda Ardern been up to since leaving office?

Former New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, who stepped down in January 2023, has largely stayed away from the public eye. However, she has now announced the release of her memoir, set to launch in June 2025.

Jacinda Ardern describes her memoir as “deeply personal,” aiming to inspire future leaders. She said, “For anyone who struggles with self-belief, I hope my book offers something to help them move forward.”

Her book will delve into her experiences as a leader, including how she unexpectedly became New Zealand’s Prime Minister in 2017 and led her party to a surprising election victory. At just 37 years old, she became the youngest female PM in the world and one of the few elected leaders to give birth while in office.

During her six years as Prime Minister, New Zealand faced numerous challenges, including the Christchurch mosque attacks, a volcanic eruption, and the COVID-19 pandemic. Her leadership style, characterized by empathy, kindness, and humanity, earned her global admiration.

The memoir will also reveal, for the first time, the full story behind her sudden decision to step down in 2023. Since leaving office, Jacinda Ardern has been active as a fellow at Harvard University and has worked on the Christchurch Call project, aimed at combating online extremism.

Ardern emphasized, “Kindness and compassionate leadership aren’t just values for children; they belong in politics, especially in today’s world.”