Former Prime Minister Dame Jacinda Ardern has spoken about the time she wanted to “punch” Simon Bridges “in the face” on The Graham Norton Show in the UK.
The episode, which aired in the UK today, featured Ardern on the famous red couch alongside actress Kate Winslet, US talk show host Seth Meyers and comedian Alan Carr.
Her appearance on Norton’s show coincided with a promotional tour for her autobiographical film Prime Minister, which was released in the UK and Ireland on December 5.
Introducing Ardern, Norton said it was “lovely to have a New Zealander on the couch rather than the red chair”, referencing the many New Zealanders who have appeared on the segment in the show.
She replied and said: “When your producer called I did clarify which seat I’d be in.”
“It’s something about New Zealanders, they do tell a good yarn, and they are shameless as well,” she said.
The episode will air in New Zealand on December 12 on TVNZ 2 and TVNZ+
Norton later played a clip from her documentary Prime Minister, where she said she “wanted to punch [Simon Bridges] in the face” after he shouted “she doesn’t do the economy” during Question Time in Parliament during the height of the Covid-19 pandemic.
After the clip had played, Norton asked Ardern why the comment was “so annoying”.
“At the time we were focused on both, and our view was that our response on Covid was keeping people alive was also the best response for the economy as well,” she explained.
“I should add I’m not a violent person,” Dame Jacinda said to laughter.
Norton also asked Dame Jacinda about why her popularity had declined in New Zealand: “What went wrong? What was the tipping point?”
Ardern replied: “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.
“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.
“Expect decency in politics, expect kindness in your politics, and I do think we will come back to that as well.”
Winslet also praised Ardern for finding out she was pregnant during the post-election negotiations before she officially became Prime Minister.
“Oh my god she is so amazing. You are so amazing,” Winslet said.
Ardern earlier joked about the compliment: “I’m glad you’ve gone there, because you could easily say, ‘that’s terrible planning.'”
Carr later asked Ardern about his time in New Zealand where he had previously been on tour.
“What’s that hotel in New Zealand where you can bungee jump off the top?”
Ardern said that it would be at Auckland’s Sky City, located at the base of the Sky Tower.
He then told the audience: “They can bungee jump off the top of the hotel. I’m there unpacking, I’m seeing people screaming… I’m like, how sh*t is this hotel? My god I wanted a double bed.”
The episode will air in New Zealand on December 12 on TVNZ 2 and TVNZ+
