**Jacinda Ardern Affirms Permanent Exit from Politics; Reflects on Leadership Journey**

Former New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has unequivocally declared she has no intentions of returning to the political arena. In a recent interview on CBS' "Sunday Morning," Ardern responded decisively when asked if she would consider stepping back into New Zealand politics, emphasizing her firm decision to stay away from public office.

Ardern, who now resides in Boston and serves as a fellow at Harvard University, has shifted her focus away from politics. More than two years since her sudden resignation in 2023, she has taken the time to reflect on her storied tenure as prime minister. Living a life distanced from the political spotlight, Ardern is enjoying her current phase, appreciating the chance to lead "a normal family" life in the U.S.

In her memoir, "A Different Kind of Power," set to release soon, Ardern recounts her unexpected rise to New Zealand's top leadership position and the myriad challenges she faced during her time in office, ranging from a domestic terror attack and a volcanic eruption to the global COVID-19 pandemic. Her leadership was marked by significant initiatives in gun control, climate change, child poverty reduction, raising the minimum wage, paid parental leave, and mental health advocacy.

Accompanied by the documentary "Prime Minister," which premiered at the Sundance Film Festival, Ardern provides an introspective look into her years in power. The film, produced with the involvement of her husband Clarke Gayford, complements her written memoir by offering a visual journey through her significant and often testing period in office.

Ardern insists that her decision to resign was grounded in a deep faith in her team's capabilities, believing that New Zealand's political landscape does not require her presence to thrive. Reflecting on the guiding principles of her approach, she highlighted the importance of empathy and kindness in leadership, traits she believes are often undervalued but are secretly powerful.

Though her favor in the polls had waned, and the political environment in New Zealand had grown more contentious with protests against COVID-19 mandates, Ardern remains steadfast in her conviction that stepping down was the right choice to help preserve her accomplishments and promote a cooler political climate. She stands by her pandemic decisions with a clear preference for measured, life-saving actions over insufficient ones.

Ardern’s leadership legacy endures through her progressive policies and her unwavering commitment to lead with compassion—a model she believes should resonate beyond her tenure. Now focusing on personal and academic endeavors, she is resolute that her chapter in politics has firmly concluded.