“Prime Minister” is an intimate documentary chronicling Rt Hon Dame Jacinda Ardern’s unexpected journey as New Zealand’s 40th Prime Minister. The film debuted in January 2025 at the Sundance Film Festival and later went on to win the World Cinema Documentary Audience Award at the festival.
The documentary film premieres on September 30th on HBO and HBO Max, and offers a rare and unfiltered portrait of the Ardern. “Prime Minister,” is directed by Michelle Walshe and Lindsay Utz.
PRIME MINISTER profiles Rt. Hon. Dame Jacinda Ardern, New Zealand’s 40th Prime Minister, whose progressive leadership during the COVID-19 crisis and beyond reshaped global views on political power. As only the second world leader to give birth while in office, Ardern brought a compassionate, values-driven approach to governance, redefining strength through empathy.
Ardern’s inclusive leadership style changed global expectations of what a leader can be. The doc also features:
- Ardern’s unprecedented political rise—from becoming New Zealand’s youngest leader in over 150 years to emerging as a global feminist icon—offering a behind-the-scenes look at her bold governance, sudden resignation, and continued fight against rising authoritarianism, disinformation, and fear-based politics.
- With unparalleled access through home footage filmed by her husband, never-before-heard audio from her time in office, and candid interviews, the documentary reveals the personal convictions and political challenges that defined Ardern’s leadership on the world stage.
Ardern also has an inspiring and heartwarming children’s book debuting in bookstores on Tuesday, September 23rd.
Published by Penguin Random House, “Mom’s Busy Work” is about the relationship between a working mom and her daughter. The book is wonderfully illustrated by Ruby Jones.
Image source: Jacinda Ardern / Facebook
“Mom’s Busy Work” is just the kind of book that I would have read to my daughter when she was in elementary school, and I was a full-time working mom. For more information on the book, visit the publisher’s website here.
Disclosure: No monetary compensation was received for this post. I was provided a digital screening of the movie which helped facilitate this write-up. Images shown in this post are used with permission. As always, my opinions are 100% my own.
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There’s so many films I need to catch up on and this is one of them. Sounds very interesting!
This sounds like such a fantastic book for kids! I will have to be sure to watch the documentary. It sounds so inspiring.
I would like to see that documentary. I was very impressed with Jacinda Arden when I saw her speak on TV. She seems like a real trailblazer!
This looks like a good book for parents who work. It would help them explain things to their kids,
She such an example for women and girls for what we are capable of accomplishing. The children’s book is a great idea. I love the subject.
Both the film and the book you recommended are very interesting. I am curious to watch and read them.
Sounds like such a fantastic books for kids. I really need to get this for my kids.
This sounds like such a great book for kids. It helps to show children from a young age that mums can work too. I love that Ardern has come out with this book. The documentary would be interesting to watch.
What an interesting children’s book! It would make a great gift for the holiday season. I really like how it helps explain to kids why moms or parents go to work. I’d love to check out the movie, too!
I love how you highlight Jacinda Ardern’s new children’s book, Mom’s Busy Work—it’s such a beautiful reflection of the everyday moments that make motherhood so special, and a perfect companion to the upcoming documentary Prime Minister.
Jacinda Ardern’s leadership has always stood out to me for its compassion and authenticity. I also love the idea of Mom’s Busy Work as a way to help kids understand the balance so many working parents navigate.