Hold onto your seats, because this story is about to get real—and a little controversial. Former Prime Minister Dame Jacinda Ardern recently made waves on The Graham Norton Show in the UK, where she candidly shared a moment when she felt like punching former opposition leader Simon Bridges right in the face. But here’s where it gets controversial: was her reaction justified, or did she cross a line? Let’s dive in.
Ardern appeared on the iconic red couch alongside Hollywood star Kate Winslet, US talk show host Seth Meyers, and comedian Alan Carr. Her visit coincided with the promotional tour for her autobiographical film, Prime Minister, which hit UK and Ireland screens on December 5. Graham Norton playfully welcomed her, saying, ‘It’s lovely to have a New Zealander on the couch rather than the red chair,’ a nod to the show’s infamous segment featuring Kiwi guests. Ardern quipped back, ‘When your producer called, I did clarify which seat I’d be in.’ She also joked about New Zealanders’ knack for storytelling, adding, ‘They do tell a good yarn, and they’re shameless as well.’
And this is the part most people miss: During the episode, Norton played a clip from her documentary where Ardern revealed her frustration with Simon Bridges. During a heated parliamentary debate at the height of the Covid-19 pandemic, Bridges shouted, ‘She doesn’t do the economy!’ Ardern explained, ‘At the time, we were focused on both—saving lives and stabilizing the economy. Our Covid response was about keeping people alive, which we believed was the best thing for the economy too.’ She quickly added, ‘I’m not a violent person,’ drawing laughter from the audience. But the question lingers: Was her frustration understandable, or did it reveal a deeper issue in political discourse?
Norton didn’t hold back, asking Ardern about her declining popularity in New Zealand: ‘What went wrong? What was the tipping point?’ Her response was both reflective and hopeful. ‘Globally, politics has shifted gears,’ she said. ‘It’s become more grievance-driven, violent, and aggressive. I don’t think it’s just one leader experiencing this—it’s a broader shift. My plea to people is: don’t give up on the idea that politics can be better. Expect decency, expect kindness. I believe we’ll come back to that.’ Bold statement, right? But is it realistic in today’s political climate?
The episode also had its lighthearted moments. Kate Winslet gushed over Ardern’s revelation that she discovered her pregnancy during post-election negotiations. ‘Oh my god, she is so amazing!’ Winslet exclaimed. Ardern joked, ‘I’m glad you’ve gone there, because you could easily say, “That’s terrible planning.”’ Alan Carr, meanwhile, shared a hilarious story about his stay in Auckland’s Sky City hotel, where guests can bungee jump off the Sky Tower. ‘I’m unpacking, and I hear people screaming… I’m like, how bad is this hotel? My god, I just wanted a double bed!’
The episode airs in New Zealand on December 12 on TVNZ 2 and TVNZ+ (https://www.tvnz.co.nz/shows/the-graham-norton-show). But before you tune in, let’s spark a conversation: Do you think Ardern’s frustration with Simon Bridges was justified? And is her call for kindness in politics a realistic goal, or just wishful thinking? Let us know in the comments—this is one discussion you won’t want to miss!
