Summary of NPR's "Consider This" Episode: "How New Zealand's Jacinda Ardern Broke the Political Mold"
Release Date: June 4, 2025
In this insightful episode of NPR's "Consider This," host Mary Louise Kelly delves deep into the transformative leadership of Jacinda Ardern, the former Prime Minister of New Zealand. Drawing from Ardern's new memoir, A Different Kind of Power, the discussion highlights her unique approach to politics, her empathetic leadership style, and the pivotal moments that defined her tenure.
Breaking the Political Mold
Jacinda Ardern's ascent to New Zealand's prime ministership in 2017 marked a significant departure from traditional political norms. As Mary Louise Kelly notes, Ardern was "the youngest woman ever elected to lead a country," a testament to her groundbreaking role in global politics.
Key Quote:
“Maybe you've all had a calming effect. She's just finally going to sleep. All right, well, welcome everyone. Thanks for coming and joining us today. It's a real pleasure to introduce our little one to you all and to.”
— Jacinda Ardern, [00:28]
Ardern's leadership was characterized by her commitment to values often associated with childhood education—kindness, generosity, curiosity, and bravery. She challenged the conventional perception that political leaders must eschew such traits in favor of traditional notions of strength and resilience.
Key Quote:
“I don't think we should differentiate from the values that we think are important enough to teach our kids. And, and most of us teach our kids kindness. We teach them generosity, curiosity, bravery. And then we have this bizarre distinction where we then don't expect it in our leaders, let alone our political leaders.”
— Jacinda Ardern, [01:23]
Decision to Step Down
In a heartfelt announcement, Ardern revealed her decision not to seek re-election, citing personal reasons and the immense pressures of leadership.
Key Quote:
“I'm announcing that I will not be seeking re-election and that my term as prime Minister will conclude no later than the 7th of February.”
— Jacinda Ardern, [00:47]
Ardern was candid about her reasons, mentioning the toll that continuous crisis management had taken on her. She acknowledged that she "no longer has enough in the tank to do it justice," emphasizing the importance of recognizing one's limits.
Key Quote:
“After leading New Zealand through crisis after crisis, I know what this job takes and I know that I no longer have enough in the tank to do it justice. It's that simple.”
— Jacinda Ardern, [01:01]
Balancing Leadership and Parenthood
Ardern openly discussed the challenges of balancing her demanding role with motherhood. In her memoir, she recounts a pivotal moment during the 2017 election campaign when she awaited the results of both the election and a pregnancy test.
Key Quote:
“I was waiting to find out whether or not I was going to become the Prime Minister of New Zealand. And in that moment, I was also waiting to find out if I was pregnant.”
— Jacinda Ardern, [04:43]
This moment underscored the constant juggle between personal aspirations and professional responsibilities. Ardern reflected on the enduring "mother guilt" that accompanies parenting, regardless of career choices.
Key Quote:
“The mother guilt that I have now that I'm around more is just the same as what I had then. It doesn't go away. It's the price you pay of being a parent.”
— Jacinda Ardern, [06:26]
When questioned about explaining her resignation to her young daughter, Ardern shared a poignant conversation that highlighted her commitment to resilience and perseverance.
Key Quote:
“I gave her a version of what I'd kind of said at the time because it was my honest view... She just said to me, but mummy, we never give up.”
— Jacinda Ardern, [10:30]
Leadership Through Crisis: The Christchurch Shootings
One of the most defining moments of Ardern's leadership was her response to the tragic mosque shootings in Christchurch. The swift and compassionate manner in which she addressed the nation solidified her reputation as a empathetic and effective leader.
Key Quote:
“It was... being in the role because that battle that I always had between whether or not I felt like I was equipped with all of the skills needed to be a leader... it was only when I had a piece of information that allowed myself to get beyond my sense of responsibility that I started entertaining the idea of leaving.”
— Jacinda Ardern, [08:34]
In the aftermath of the shootings, Ardern took decisive action to reform New Zealand's gun laws, mirroring Australia's response to the Port Arthur Massacre. Her administration swiftly banned semi-automatic and military-style weapons within weeks of the tragedy.
Key Quote:
“We introduced law and took 10 days to debate it and pass it. In all, 27 days roughly after the attack, we had moved to ban semi-automatic and military style weapons in New Zealand.”
— Jacinda Ardern, [14:42]
Her approach emphasized empathy without compromising on necessary action, balancing compassion with firmness in policy-making.
The Power of Kindness in Leadership
Ardern consistently championed kindness as a core component of effective leadership. She argued against the stereotype that empathy is a weakness, positing instead that it is a formidable strength capable of fostering societal cohesion.
Key Quote:
“Kindness has a power and strength that almost nothing else on this planet has.”
— Jacinda Ardern, [17:42]
She contended that leadership rooted in kindness and empathy can combat dehumanization, aggression, and violence, fostering a more inclusive and compassionate society.
Key Quote:
“In these times where there's so much dehumanisation, and dehumanisation leads to aggression, to violence, and ultimately does nothing to solve the problems that so many of our communities are facing.”
— Jacinda Ardern, [18:23]
Reflections and Global Implications
In her conversation with Mary Louise Kelly, Ardern reflected on the broader implications of her leadership style beyond New Zealand. She cautioned against directly applying her strategies to vastly different political landscapes, such as the United States, due to cultural and constitutional differences.
Key Quote:
“Empathetic leadership is not just about being there in the moment and experiencing and understanding as much as anyone is able. When you're not directly a victim yourself what is happening for people, it's also about action.”
— Jacinda Ardern, [15:15]
However, she emphasized the universal applicability of kindness and empathy in governance, suggesting that these values could bridge divides and address complex societal issues globally.
Conclusion
Jacinda Ardern's tenure as Prime Minister of New Zealand serves as a compelling case study in transformative and empathetic leadership. Her ability to balance personal responsibilities with national crises, all while maintaining a foundation of kindness and compassion, offers valuable lessons for political leaders worldwide. In her memoir and reflections shared on NPR's "Consider This," Ardern underscores the importance of leading with heart, advocating for a political landscape where empathy and strength coexist harmoniously.
This summary is based on the transcript of the NPR episode and incorporates direct quotes with appropriate timestamps to provide an accurate and comprehensive overview of the discussion.