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  • Published: 3 June 2025
  • ISBN: 9781776951277
  • Imprint: Penguin
  • Format: Hardback
  • Pages: 352
  • RRP: $59.99
Categories:

A Different Kind of Power

A memoir





From the former prime minister of New Zealand, then the world’s youngest female head of government and just the second to give birth in office, comes a deeply personal memoir chronicling her extraordinary rise and offering inspiration to a new generation of leaders.

What if we could redefine leadership? What if kindness came first? Jacinda Ardern grew up the daughter of a police officer, a Mormon girl plagued by self-doubt. But as prime minister she commanded worldwide respect for her empathetic leadership, made political history, and changed our assumptions about what a global leader can be.

When Jacinda Ardern became prime minister at age thirty-seven, the world took notice. But it was her compassionate, powerful response to the 2019 Christchurch mosque attacks, resulting in swift gun-control reforms, that exemplified a new kind of leadership—one that is caring and effective. She guided New Zealand through unprecedented challenges—a volcanic eruption, a major biosecurity breach, and a global pandemic—and advanced visionary new policies to address climate change, reduce child poverty, and secure historic international trade deals. She did this all while juggling first-time motherhood in the public eye.

She is a global icon, and now in this remarkable book she shares her story, from the struggles to the surprises, including the full details of her decision to step down during her sixth year as prime minister.

Jacinda Ardern is a model for anyone who has ever doubted themselves or has aspired to lead with compassion, conviction, and courage. A Different Kind of Power is more than a political memoir; it’s an insight into how it feels to lead, ultimately asking: What if you, too, are capable of more than you ever imagined?

  • Published: 3 June 2025
  • ISBN: 9781776951277
  • Imprint: Penguin
  • Format: Hardback
  • Pages: 352
  • RRP: $59.99
Categories:

About the author

Jacinda Ardern

Jacinda Ardern was elected prime minister of New Zealand in 2017 at the age of thirty-seven and became the country’s youngest prime minister in more than 150 years.

In 2018, she gave birth to her daughter, Neve, and became the first leader of a country in thirty years to give birth while in office.

In 2023, she was awarded the accolade Dame Grand Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit. She now spends her time writing, speaking, learning, and being a mum.

You can follow Jacinda Ardern
on Instagram and X @JacindaArdern.

Also by Jacinda Ardern

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Praise for A Different Kind of Power

A Different Kind of Power is the story of the forces that have shaped Jacinda Ardern and the intentional effort she has put into creating a new template for the next generation of leaders to follow. Ardern’s insightful and inspiring memoir challenges old definitions of strength and power by emphasizing the urgency of compassion and kindness. World leaders have a lot to learn from her timely and important perspective.

Melinda Gates, author of The Moment of Lift

It is rare enough to find someone who lives an inspiring life of genuine service to humanity; it is even rarer to find that they’ve written a beautiful book that will inspire others. Jacinda Ardern’s A Different Kind of Power is just such a book. I could not put down this deeply personal memoir by an icon who insists on being a real person. Like the memoirs of Barack Obama and Gloria Steinem, this book has the power to inspire a new generation of passionate leaders and readers. You don’t have to be interested in politics to devour this book; you might be interested in how women dare to mother and lead at the same time; you might be interested in bravery, and a life well-lived.

Sarah Ruhl, author of Smile

“An honest, inviting and profoundly personal story of rising to power, and then choosing to give it up. This book is filled with humor, conviction, self-awareness, uncommon kindness, and a wisdom earned through the dizzying trials of recent history. This should be required reading for anyone trying to understand how—and why—to stay true to core values in trying times. A rare and essential memoir.

Benjamin Rhodes, author of The World As It Is and After the Fall

Jacinda Ardern's memoir gives us a rare glimpse into the foundations of her unique and unprecedented leadership style, one that values humanity above all else. It's an essential, inspiring read in our current political climate.

Natalie Portman

Discover more

Article
Penguin Random House New Zealand to publish Jacinda Ardern's Memoir

A Different Kind of Power: A Memoir by Jacinda Ardern is set for international release on June 3, 2025.