Sun Jun 01 13:40:00 UTC 2025: **Jacinda Ardern Reflects on Resignation, Rise of Rage, and the Future of Empathetic Leadership**
**Cambridge, MA** – In her first major interview since her shocking resignation as Prime Minister of New Zealand in January 2023, Jacinda Ardern opens up about the escalating global rage, the pressures of leading through crises, and her unwavering belief in empathetic leadership. Speaking to the Guardian’s editor-in-chief, Ardern, now teaching at Harvard, reflects on her six years in office, marked by moments of immense national pride and unprecedented challenges.
Ardern recounts a pivotal moment in 2022 when a stranger confronted her at Auckland airport, accusing her of “ruining the country.” This incident, coupled with a rising tide of vitriol and personal attacks, contributed to her decision to step down, even as she recognized the difficulties of leaving at a time when some supporters felt the progressive world needed her leadership. She is publishing a book “A Different Kind of Power” about her time in politics.
The former Prime Minister acknowledges the toll of leading through successive crises, including the Christchurch mosque massacre and the COVID-19 pandemic. Her response to the pandemic, marked by strict lockdowns and a focus on public health, was met with both praise and fierce criticism. She emotionally described the difficulty of people not understanding the choices and decisions she had to make. She stands by her government’s actions, pointing to New Zealand’s high vaccination rate and relatively low death toll, and expresses sadness that some felt their lives were ruined.
Ardern draws a stark contrast between her approach and that of leaders like Donald Trump, emphasizing the dangers of blaming others rather than addressing the root causes of economic insecurity. While carefully avoiding direct criticism, she suggests that Trump’s approach fosters division and fails to offer sustainable solutions.
Despite the challenges, Ardern remains committed to her values of kindness, compassion, and inclusivity. She believes that empathetic leadership is not a weakness but a strength, capable of countering authoritarianism and fostering a more humane society. She hopes her departure will help calm New Zealand politics, although recognizes that didn’t happen.
Looking forward, Ardern plans to return to New Zealand and continue advocating for the principles that defined her time in office. She remains optimistic about the future, believing that democracy and empathy can ultimately prevail.
First Piper 