Jacinda Ardern 
The prime minister’s speech in response to the publication of the Royal Commission inquiry report. The Royal Commission of Inquiry into the Terror Attack in Christchurch on March 15 has delivered a comprehensive report that will form the basis of a significant work programme to make New Zealand a safer and ultimately I hope, a … Read more
Today in parliament, Jacinda Ardern will move a notice of motion declaring a climate emergency and a series of other steps including ‘becoming a carbon-neutral government by 2025’. Here is the full text of the motion. To move that this House: declare a climate emergency, following the finding of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change … Read more
This afternoon, on the same day New Zealand recorded zero active cases for the first time since the pandemic began, the prime minister announced the country would move to alert level one at midnight, signalling the end of all domestic Covid-19 restrictions. This is the speech she gave. Today is day 26 of alert level … Read more
The prime minister has announced a staged, and adjusted, shift from alert level three. Here is what she said. I want to start today by acknowledging the sacrifices New Zealanders have made over the six and a half weeks we have been in alert levels four and three in order to beat Covid-19. Be it … Read more
This afternoon the prime minister announced plans for the country to move out of alert level four at midnight next Monday. This is what she said. Tēnā koutou katoa. Over the past few weeks I have often used my time at this podium to acknowledge the people on the frontline. Today I want to remember … Read more
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern today announced that New Zealand will be moving to the highest Covid-19 alert level within 48 hours. Here is her speech in full. The Cabinet met this morning to discuss our next actions in the fight against Covid-19. Like the rest of the world, we are facing the potential for devastating … Read more
Jacinda Ardern has announced the unprecedented step of closing New Zealand’s borders to foreign nationals. Here’s what she said. Cabinet met this afternoon to assess the rapidly evolving situation relating to Covid-19 and made further decisions to protect New Zealanders from the virus. While there remains no evidence of community outbreak in New Zealand to … Read more
At a tense press conference in Sydney, the New Zealand prime minister has just issued a stark challenge to Australia over its treatment of NZ citizens. Here’s what she said. We appreciate that many Kiwis have taken up the opportunity to live and work in Australia – many more than has happened in reverse. Not … Read more
The prime minister, Jacinda Ardern, has issued a ‘whole-hearted and wide reaching’ apology for the decisions taken by Air New Zealand and the government in the aftermath of the tragedy on the slopes of Mt Erebus. Her apology was echoed by Dame Therese Walsh, the current chair of Air New Zealand. Below we publish edited … Read more
To mark Arts Month, the prime minister shares her thoughts on the future of the arts in Aotearoa. In my office in the Beehive, there are a couple of artworks that are very special to me. I mention this because, while it feels like the nation has been talking about nothing but a certain world … Read more
Yesterday Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern delivered two speeches on climate change to the United Nations in New York. This is what she said. Keynote Address to UN Secretary-General’s Climate Action Summit Private Sector Forum Mr Secretary-General, leaders, ladies and gentlemen. Recently in New Zealand our journalists, like many around the world, took part in the … Read more
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern spoke at the National Remembrance Service today. This is what she said. E rau rangatira mā, e ngā reo, e ngā mana Tēnā koutou katoa Ngāi Tahu Whānui, tēnā koutou E papaki tū ana ngā tai o maumahara ki runga o Ōtautahi Haere mai tātou me te aroha, Me te rangimārie, … Read more
In the first address to parliament since Friday’s terrorist attack on Christchurch, Jacinda Ardern paid tribute to the Muslim community and pledged to deny the perpetrator the notoriety he craves Al salam Alaikum. Peace be upon you. And peace be upon all of us. The 15th of March will now forever be a day etched … Read more
The prime minister has just delivered an update to media from the Beehive on the security situation following the mosque terror attacks in Christchurch. Here is the text of her statement. A total now of 49 people have been killed – work is under way to confirm their identities as quickly as possible. Forty-one people … Read more
‘This can only be described as a terrorist attack,’ Jacinda Ardern has said from the New Zealand parliament, following a crisis meeting of NZ security chiefs in response to the mass murder at mosques in Christchurch. Below, an edited transcript of her remarks, and responses to journalists’ questions. I have now had the opportunity to … Read more
Jacinda Ardern’s full address to the United Nations General Assembly. Jacinda Ardern has delivered a speech to the UN General Assembly this morning, calling for kindness over fear, accountability, and collectivism in fights and inequality and climate change. E ngā mana nui o ngā whenua o te ao Tēnā koutou katoa Nei rā te reo … Read more
In this first of a series of extracts from the new VUP collection Stardust and Substance, which is published tomorrow, the now prime minister recounts her unexpected elevation to the leadership and the remarkable events that followed. There is no doubt that 2017 will remain the most extraordinary year of my life. But a statement … Read more
The government sprung a surprise today by announcing an end to offshore oil and gas exploration permits. The response was mixed, with criticism from industry and acclaim from environmental groups. The prime minister, Jacinda Ardern, formally revealed the move in this speech to students at Victoria University of Wellington. I want you for a moment to think … Read more
This morning Jacinda Ardern, who is visiting Waitangi over five days during commemorations of the signing of the Treaty, spoke from the veranda of Te Whare Rūnanga during the formal welcome at the Treaty grounds. Here is her speech. Kei āku nui, kei āku rahi, tēnā koutou katoa. Haere mai tātou ki tēnei rā nui, … Read more