Jacinda Ardern

The price of power and the weight of public hatred

Jacinda Ardern has been back in the spotlight over the last couple of weeks. The release of the documentary Prime Minister and a children’s book titled Mum’s Busy Work have brought her name back into headlines. The title itself is almost ironic. The phrase “busywork” is defined as tasks that keep someone occupied but hold little real value. Perhaps unintentionally, the name echoes how many already view Ardern’s leadership.

What stands out most is not the media coverage, but the reaction to it. The hatred for Ardern remains as alive as ever, in some cases stronger now than when she was in office. Social media comments are flooded with vitriol. She is branded a dictator, accused of causing deaths through her vaccine mandates, and disturbingly, some even call for extreme punishments. These are views I cannot condone, but they reveal the deep scars left from her time in power. Anger towards her is not confined to one political camp. Both left and right have their critics, and both feel betrayed in different ways.

Many argue that Ardern should face legal consequences for her pandemic response. But in a way, she is already living through her punishment. She knows she is not welcome in her own country. The sheer level of disdain for her across New Zealand means she effectively lives in exile. For someone who once wrapped herself in the language of kindness, the reality of being unable to safely live among the people she once governed is a heavy sentence.

Even the media, which she heavily funded and leaned on during the Covid years, shows signs of nervousness. When stories about Ardern are posted on social media by major newsrooms, the comments sections are often shut down. After receiving millions in government handouts, those outlets became her cheerleaders, limiting what could be asked and what could be published. That legacy of protection still lingers.

If you enjoyed this piece, consider supporting my work by becoming a paid subscriber or, if you’d rather keep it casual, shout me a beer. Every bit helps keep independent writing alive.

Despite the positive headlines, the strategy is not working. The more Ardern is propped up with carefully polished coverage, the more hostile her critics become. In some circles, hatred for her has reached a point where no amount of PR can shift opinion. The dislike is too entrenched, too visceral.

That, ultimately, is Ardern’s consequence. She may appear on international talk shows and bask in global applause, but she cannot escape the reality that in her home country she is viewed with suspicion, anger and outright hatred. For all the soft-focus stories and attempts at legacy building, the truth remains that Jacinda Ardern is living in exile from her own people, and it is unlikely she will return any time soon.