Graham Norton Grills Dame Jacinda Ardern on Popularity Slide: “What Went Wrong?”
LONDON, UK — In a highly anticipated international appearance coinciding with the promotional tour for her new documentary film, former New Zealand Prime Minister Dame Jacinda Ardern addressed the complex issue of her declining popularity at home during a candid interview on The Graham Norton Show.
The episode, which aired in the UK today (December 5), featured Ardern alongside Oscar-winner Kate Winslet, US talk show host Seth Meyers, and comedian Alan Carr, providing a rare platform for the former leader to discuss her political journey, her abrupt resignation, and the increasingly toxic nature of global politics.
📉 The Hard Question: ‘What Was the Tipping Point?’
During the segment, which was noted by local observers for its directness, host Graham Norton did not shy away from the central tension of Ardern’s final year in office. He posed a pointed question to the former Prime Minister: “What went wrong? What was the tipping point?” referring to the decisive waning of public opinion polls in New Zealand that preceded her January 2023 resignation.
Ardern’s response centered on a fundamental shift in the political atmosphere, both in New Zealand and globally.
“I think we have seen politics globally shift gears. I think we have seen politics carry a lot more grievance from individuals and in some ways it’s become more violent and aggressive,” Ardern explained. “I don’t think it is just any one leader who has experienced that shift, it has shifted, and amongst all of that I do think we’re at a moment in time, and I think in response to that moment in time my plea is for people is to not give up on the prospect that politics can be better.”
This analysis reflects widespread commentary from political observers in New Zealand, who have attributed her popularity decline not just to policy failures—such as the persistent housing crisis and rising cost of living—but also to a surge in online abuse, threats, and misinformation, particularly following the government’s strict COVID-19 pandemic response.
💥 The ‘Punch’ Comment and the Economy
The interview also touched on a revealing clip from her documentary film, Prime Minister, which had its UK release on the same day as the show. The clip featured Ardern expressing a moment of intense frustration, stating she once wanted to “punch [Simon Bridges] in the face” after the then-opposition leader shouted “she doesn’t do the economy” during a heated Question Time in Parliament amidst the pandemic’s height.
Norton asked why the comment was so irritating. Ardern clarified the context, explaining that her government believed their COVID-19 health response, which successfully contained the virus and saved lives, was also the most effective strategy for the economy. She added a lighthearted disclaimer to the audience: “I should add I’m not a violent person.”
🎬 Promoting ‘Prime Minister’ and International Spotlight
Ardern’s appearance on the popular UK talk show is part of a high-profile international tour to promote Prime Minister, the documentary that chronicles her turbulent five-year tenure, from the Christchurch mosque shootings and the Whakaari/White Island eruption to the COVID-19 pandemic. The film, which won the audience award at the Sundance Film Festival, relies heavily on home video footage shot by her partner, Clarke Gayford, offering a unique personal perspective on the pressures of her leadership.
The appearance is another example of Ardern’s continued high standing on the international stage, where she is frequently praised for her compassionate and crisis-driven leadership style. She has also recently appeared on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert and The Daily Show with Jon Stewart while promoting her book, A Different Kind of Power.
For New Zealand viewers, the highly anticipated episode of The Graham Norton Show is scheduled to air on TVNZ 2 and TVNZ+ on December 12
