NEW YORK – Jacinda Ardern, the former Prime Minister of New Zealand, is poised to release her memoir two years after her unexpected resignation from the position.
Crown, a branch of Penguin Random House, revealed on Tuesday that her book, titled “A Different Kind of Power,” is slated for publication on June 3. Having taken office at the young age of 37 in 2017, Ardern plans to share reflections on the pivotal decisions and notable events that contributed to her international recognition.
Notably, she garnered acclaim for her empathetic response to the tragic terrorist attacks on two mosques in Christchurch in 2019, as well as for her management of the coronavirus pandemic in its nascent stages.
In a statement, Ardern expressed, “Some individuals considered kindness to be sentimental or soft; even a bit naive. I was aware of that perspective, but I firmly believed they were mistaken. Kindness possesses a unique power and strength that is unparalleled. I had witnessed kindness create remarkable outcomes—it instilled hope, altered perspectives, and transformed lives. Kindness has been the guiding principle for me, and it was the quality I aimed to embody in my leadership, no matter the challenges that lay ahead.”
As 2023 unfolded, the ongoing spread of COVID-19 and the increasing opposition to her strict measures aimed at curbing the virus led to a decline in her popularity. In a surprising move that took many of her supporters aback, Ardern announced her departure, stating she felt she lacked “enough in the tank” to continue her role. She received a significant honor in June 2023 when she was named a Dame Grand Companion, one of New Zealand’s top distinctions, as part of King Charles III’s Birthday Honors. Around this time, Ardern shared on Instagram that she was working on a book that would emphasize leadership rather than delve into “internal politics.”
Crown has described her upcoming memoir as a “deeply personal and inspiring” account, detailing “Ardern’s unfiltered journey, from a determined girl in a small New Zealand town to a pioneering world leader, the youngest woman ever to hold a head of government position, and the second in history to give birth while in office.”
Additionally, Crown stated, “Ardern has transformed the world’s perceptions of what a global leader can represent. With striking honesty, she recounts the crucial moments that shaped her leadership and, for the first time, shares the story behind her decision to resign during her sixth year as Prime Minister.”