Trailer released for documentary about former Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern
The trailer opens with a clap back. At a press conference shortly after Ardern was appointed the new leader of the nation, a reporter asked, 'Do you think you can credibly lead a nation?'. Ardern quickly rebutted, 'Would you like to tell me why you don't think I can?'.
What follows are inspirational, candid and emotional moments of the 44-year-old as she navigates monumental crises, including the Whakaari White Island eruption disaster, the Christchurch mosque shootings, and the Covid pandemic, while managing motherhood.
'In a world accustomed to hardened, masculine leadership, Jacinda Ardern led with an unapologetic commitment to empathy and compassion. As filmmakers, we were guided by a central question: What does leadership look like when kindness and humanity are at its core?' said Utz and Welsh in a joint statement.
The directors said their goal was to give audiences an 'intimate, front-row seat' to the significant pressures of leading a nation, especially in times of crisis, while juggling the realities of being a first-time mum.
'Her approach to leadership during times of immense pressure and uncertainty offers a powerful reminder of what's possible when leaders prioritise people. As female directors and mothers, this story felt personal to us,' they added.
'In a world facing complex human-centred challenges, we hope this film encourages audiences to see empathy and kindness as not just leadership strengths, but essential tools to building a better future.'
In February, the documentary won the Audience Award at the Sundance Film Festival in Utah.
Another film about the former Prime Minister is set to be released later this year.
Unlike Prime Minister, the second film reportedly titled Mania, has financial support from the New Zealand Film Commission.
Ardern has previously expressed support for Prime Minister, a co-production between New Zealand company Dark Doris Entertainment and US company Madison Wells, noting that New Zealand taxpayers do not fund it.
Speaking to Media Insider columnist Shayne Currie last June, Ardern said: 'It's a bit nerve-racking having a project like this out there but I think we've stopped seeing people in public life as human.
'Mine is a human story and a New Zealand story. If that makes a difference for someone else then I think that's worth sharing.'
Since her departure from the Prime Minister role in 2023, Ardern has been appointed to a job specialising in technology governance at Harvard University and has continued her work for the Christchurch Call, which aims to combat online extremism.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
RNZ News
7 hours ago
- RNZ News
The Politics Panel for 4 June 2025
All things politics are discussed in this laser-focused version of The Panel. Today Wallace Chapman is joined by RNZ host of 30 with Guyon, Guyon Espiner and Maria Slade, BusinessDesk journalist. Political scientist Grant Duncan also provides analysis. They discuss a developing story involving allegations that the Prime Minister's deputy chief press secretary recorded audio of sessions with sex workers. Also, they dissect the latest RNZ Reid Research poll results, the huge press response to Jacinda Ardern's memoir, and more. Photo: RNZ/Marika Khabazi
1News
8 hours ago
- 1News
Ardern takes swipe at Cunliffe over 'tokenistic' comment in new memoir
Jacinda Ardern singles out David Cunliffe, one of her predecessors as Labour leader, for criticism in her new memoir, describing an incident where he apparently suggested giving her a high position in the party list would be seen as "tokenistic". The exchange represents a rare public disagreement between two former leaders and amounts to an unusual moment of political candour from Ardern. She also recounts feeling relief when Cunliffe stepped down as leader after a crushing election loss for Labour in 2014, writing: "For the first time in a long while, I felt relieved." And she also wrote in her book, A Different Kind of Power, about questioning Cunliffe's authenticity and loyalty to the party. Party list ADVERTISEMENT Ardern describes a tense private exchange where Cunliffe allegedly told her he was considering her for the party's number three list position but was worried about whether it might appear "tokenistic". According to Ardern's account, Cunliffe called her to his office after becoming leader in 2013 to discuss the party's front bench positions. "I'd like to have a woman in my No. 3 spot," Cunliffe allegedly told her, before adding: "I've considered you for this spot. But I'm worried about that looking... well... tokenistic." Ardern writes she then refused to make a case for why she deserved the position: "'You either think that or you don't. I either deserve to be No. 3 or I don't. You need to decide." Ultimately she was not named at number 3 in the list, and nor was any other woman MP. Cunliffe responded to the claims in the book with a brief statement. ADVERTISEMENT "Jacinda did not raise any issues with me at the time and has not done so since," he said. "I have quite a different recollection of events." Ardern recounts volatile time for Labour The cover of A Different Kind of Power: A Memoir, set to be released on June 3, 2025. (Source: Penguin Random House/Supplied) Ardern also described her reaction to Cunliffe's infamous apology for being a man at a Women's Refuge event, writing: "I found myself holding my breath whenever he spoke." In contrast to her criticism of Cunliffe, Ardern speaks warmly of her relationship with Grant Robertson, who would later become her finance minister and deputy while PM, describing him as someone who would have been "an outstanding prime minister." She details how she supported Robertson's leadership bid, which included running against Cunliffe, and later formed a "Gracinda" ticket with him in a subsequent bid. 'My intent, never in writing this, was to ever malign' ADVERTISEMENT Ardern was asked about her candid writing regarding Cunliffe in an RNZ interview yesterday. "With any character in the book, for the most part, I've just tried to write experiences so without giving too much commentary on anyone as an individual person," she responded. "There were a few moments that were perhaps a little bit formative in my career, where I was struggling with this question of whether or not I was viewed tokenistically. The former Prime Minister was asked by Seven Sharp's Hilary Barry whether she could return to New Zealand without being given a hard time. (Source: Seven Sharp) "And the story that I shared came up through the course of those events. To not share it would have been a very deliberate edit, a deliberate exclusion of something that really did stand out in my mind. It wasn't just about the person. It was about the moment." The former prime minister said: "A lot of the things that are in there are also a reflection of that period in opposition, which was pretty tough for us, it is fair to say." ADVERTISEMENT "My intent never, in writing this, was to ever malign, but just to share an experience." 'The red wedding' Cunliffe, who now helps run a consultancy firm, has largely stayed out of the public eye since his time as a Cabinet minister and stint as Labour leader though he sometimes appears as a political pundit. He took over the leadership in 2013 following a divisive contest but stepped down after the 2014 election defeat. Ardern described the party's turbulence in detail, comparing the aftermath of Phil Goff's election loss to "the red wedding in Game of Thrones". Then-prime minister John Key and David Cunliffe go head to head at the TVNZ leader's debate on September 17, 2014 (Source: TVNZ) The leadership period was marked by internal party tensions, with factions emerging within the Labour caucus, including an "Anyone-But-Cunliffe" grouping. Years later, just weeks before the 2017 election, Ardern went on to become Labour leader and subsequently became PM in a coalition with NZ First and the Greens before winning with a landslide in 2020. When asked yesterday if she remained in contact with Cunliffe, Ardern said no. But she added that if she saw him, she would still stop and chat to him. "Not everyone do I have regular exchanges with," she said.
Scoop
9 hours ago
- Scoop
Government To Protect And Enhance Milford Sound Piopiotahi
Press Release – New Zealand Government The first tranche of decisions from the Milford Opportunities Project, announced today, also provide certainty to operators by confirming that cruise ships will continue to access the fjord, and Milford Aerodrome will be retained. Minister of Conservation Hon Louise Upston Minister of Tourism and Hospitality The Government will invest $15.2 million into upgrading infrastructure and enhancing conservation at Milford Sound Piopiotahi to sustainably grow tourism while also protecting the jewel in our conservation crown. The first tranche of decisions from the Milford Opportunities Project, announced today, also provide certainty to operators by confirming that cruise ships will continue to access the fjord, and Milford Aerodrome will be retained. 'This iconic UNESCO World Heritage site in Fiordland attracts more than a million visitors a year and pumps about $200 million into the regional economy, creating jobs and boosting incomes,' Conservation Minister Tama Potaka says. 'For Ngāi Tahu, Piopiotahi holds special significance as the final masterpiece of atua and land-shaper Tū Te Rakiwhānoa. 'Visitors accessing the fjord via Milford Road will soon enjoy new and enhanced short stops, including an alpine nature walk in Gertrude Valley. Little Tahiti landfill will also be cleaned up and flood protection at Cleddau River will be improved. 'There will be improved amenities, including much-needed new facilities at Deepwater Basin where we are replacing the recreational boat ramp.' Funding for the improvements will come from the International Visitor Levy ($8.2 million) and the Department of Conservation's capital works programme ($7m). Tourism and Hospitality Minister Louise Upston said Milford Sound Piopiotahi had a key role to play in helping the country's tourism sector bounce back from the Covid hangover. 'We are supporting the local economy and providing certainty for operators by enabling cruise ships and aircraft to continue to access the fjord, rejecting a previous proposal to ban this. 'We know Milford Sound Piopiotahi, Mitre Peak Rahotū, the bush, the sea and the wildlife play an integral part in capturing the hearts and minds of millions of tourists dreaming of a visit to this wilderness area.' Mr Potaka said the next tranche of work would involve the Department of Conservation – Te Papa Atawhai engaging with Ngāi Tahu, and stakeholders such as local government and the tourism industry on further initiatives. 'These include collaborating on investment opportunities along Milford corridor, developing a multi-year investment plan for the area, and considering improved planning tools, such as a Special Amenities Area within Fiordland National Park.' Note:
