New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has spoken about her goal to bring “a bit more humanity” to politics in order to encourage others to consider becoming politicians.
In an interview aired on the ABC’s 7.30 program, Ardern told Sarah Ferguson that she thinks it’s important for people to see that politicians can be in touch with a more human side.
“My only focus, aside from of course doing the very best job I can, is to still also display the fact that ultimately politicians are also very human,” Ardern said, when asked about the sustained global interest in her leadership style.
“I think we do have a job to allow ourselves to display a little more of that because ultimately, we want people to be attracted to politics, we want people to want to do the job.
“I think if we give off the air that you have to be completely ironclad and almost so resilient as to not be human, that people won’t see themselves necessarily wanting to enter into the fray.
“We have a job to do to just bring a bit more humanity to the role.”
Ardern also brushed off the idea that she is a “global celebrity”, saying she doesn’t think of herself that way and noting her primary focus is on New Zealand’s interests.
“I don’t think that I would ever first of all describe myself in that way,” Ardern said.
“If by virtue of just doing that job to the very best of my ability, there is some interest in what New Zealand does and how we do it – then I will always reflect that back to the fact that all I do is magnify the Kiwi spirit.”
In the interview, Ardern also answered questions about the impact of social media and disinformation on democracy, New Zealand’s relationship with Australia and the Pacific, and her approach to China.
She reiterated that New Zealand is opposed to the militarisation of the Pacific region, and that Australian nuclear-propelled submarines would not ever be able to dock in a New Zealand port.
“We’ve taken a strong, principled position and we’ll continue to do so. That doesn’t change the relationship we have with Australia or their understanding of our position,” Ardern said.
Ardern has been in Australia this week to meet state premiers including Daniel Andrews and Dominic Perrottet, as well as Prime Minister Anthony Albanese. She also made a speech at the Lowy Institute in Sydney.