I'd say it was always in me - it's just what's required of you is very different in the moment that ...
Show more »
I'd say it was always in me - it's just what's required of you is very different in the moment that you become leader. When you're part of a team, you defer, and you're there to support your leader.
Show less «
I definitely try not to get too caught up in putting too much of a gender or age assessment on every...
Show more »
I definitely try not to get too caught up in putting too much of a gender or age assessment on everything - I've just got to get on with it.
Show less «
I worked as long in a fish and chip shop as I did in Parliament. I've had particular experiences in ...
Show more »
I worked as long in a fish and chip shop as I did in Parliament. I've had particular experiences in politics, but they're not my only ones, and they're not the ones that defined me.
Show less «
I have a collection of ukuleles. I meant to graduate to the guitar, but I never did.
I have a collection of ukuleles. I meant to graduate to the guitar, but I never did.
I might be at the odd press conference with a little bit of spill on me because I'm not going to hid...
Show more »
I might be at the odd press conference with a little bit of spill on me because I'm not going to hide the imperfections of parenting. I don't think anyone needs that.
Show less «
All of the things that people said that I would experience - that idea that you suddenly have this n...
Show more »
All of the things that people said that I would experience - that idea that you suddenly have this new person in your life that you could love so much and that time will go incredibly quickly, but that the nights will seem incredibly long - all of that has been true, but it has been wonderful.
Show less «
Issues like obesity do, as you well know, have a knock-on effect to diabetes. So we all are better o...
Show more »
Issues like obesity do, as you well know, have a knock-on effect to diabetes. So we all are better off if we invest early in prevention.
Show less «
I want to be a good leader, not a good lady leader. I don't want to be known simply as the woman who...
Show more »
I want to be a good leader, not a good lady leader. I don't want to be known simply as the woman who gave birth.
Show less «
Ultimately, I do want us to be a transformative government. I want, when we've left, for people to s...
Show more »
Ultimately, I do want us to be a transformative government. I want, when we've left, for people to say we're not just clean-green anymore: we're carbon neutral, or we're striving to be.
Show less «
Things like promoting healthy behaviours, including nutrition and activity, and beginning that at sc...
Show more »
Things like promoting healthy behaviours, including nutrition and activity, and beginning that at school is so critical. We used to have a healthy eating, healthy action plan, elements of which really were dumped by the last government, so we're trying to rebuild a bit of a program of action in that space.
Show less «
I was there when Gordon Brown basically was taking over - so right in the middle of that transition....
Show more »
I was there when Gordon Brown basically was taking over - so right in the middle of that transition. It was fantastic; I learnt a lot.
Show less «
I didn't think I would be prime minister, because I didn't consider it. But that's the power of sayi...
Show more »
I didn't think I would be prime minister, because I didn't consider it. But that's the power of saying yes, because there will be a moment when someone asks you to do something beyond your comfort zone. I am not unique.
Show less «
How great it would be for us all to have the pride of knowing that we, as a country, are one of the ...
Show more »
How great it would be for us all to have the pride of knowing that we, as a country, are one of the best countries to be a child.
Show less «
I don't think that the next generation should fear just being who they are rather than confirming to...
Show more »
I don't think that the next generation should fear just being who they are rather than confirming to an expectation of what they are meant to be.
Show less «
The wonderful police officers who spend time with me I don't think appreciate that, but I do still d...
Show more »
The wonderful police officers who spend time with me I don't think appreciate that, but I do still drive. I do still cook: not often, but just last week, I really felt like making one of my mum's old recipes - so I did. I do still go to our local department store to buy things like maternity jeans that no one else can really do for me.
Show less «
I am a thinker, and I do muse over things a lot and am constantly assessing whether I am doing enoug...
Show more »
I am a thinker, and I do muse over things a lot and am constantly assessing whether I am doing enough or what I should be doing more of to make sure I am not letting anyone down.
Show less «
I credit the women who came before me and credit New Zealanders for welcoming me having a child... p...
Show more »
I credit the women who came before me and credit New Zealanders for welcoming me having a child... positivity outweighed negativity. I'm proud of the nation.
Show less «
The teacher crisis is something we are really worried about during the byelection in Mount Albert. I...
Show more »
The teacher crisis is something we are really worried about during the byelection in Mount Albert. I counted, across a month, seven teachers I identified just in my area who were all leaving - not the profession but Auckland.
Show less «
I never, ever grew up as a young woman believing that my gender would stand in the way of doing anyt...
Show more »
I never, ever grew up as a young woman believing that my gender would stand in the way of doing anything I wanted.
Show less «
If we want to make workplaces more open, we need to acknowledge logistical challenges... by being mo...
Show more »
If we want to make workplaces more open, we need to acknowledge logistical challenges... by being more open, it might create a path for other women.
Show less «
Everything I've ever thought about doing has been, in some sense, about helping people.
Everything I've ever thought about doing has been, in some sense, about helping people.
This stardust won't settle, because none of us should settle.
This stardust won't settle, because none of us should settle.
I am sure having a baby around a working environment changes the tone a little bit.
I am sure having a baby around a working environment changes the tone a little bit.
I have a partner who can be there alongside me, who's taking up a huge part of that joint responsibi...
Show more »
I have a partner who can be there alongside me, who's taking up a huge part of that joint responsibility, because he's a parent, too - he's not a babysitter.
Show less «
Taking on a leadership role doesn't mean that you only have to be personally ambitious.
Taking on a leadership role doesn't mean that you only have to be personally ambitious.
You can't ask other people to believe you and vote for you if you don't back yourself.
You can't ask other people to believe you and vote for you if you don't back yourself.
When you're a bit of an anxious person, and you constantly worry about things, there comes a point w...
Show more »
When you're a bit of an anxious person, and you constantly worry about things, there comes a point where certain jobs are just really bad for you.
Show less «
The thing that drives people more often than not is they genuinely feel that they can make a differe...
Show more »
The thing that drives people more often than not is they genuinely feel that they can make a difference. So that means there are nice people in politics.
Show less «
We know we've got a problem attracting to certain areas because of the cost of living, so we're thin...
Show more »
We know we've got a problem attracting to certain areas because of the cost of living, so we're thinking about things from how do we ensure key workers have accessible and affordable housing; also, how do we attract people into teaching as well.
Show less «
There's probably a tendency to view power... to be either based on size or the size and power of you...
Show more »
There's probably a tendency to view power... to be either based on size or the size and power of your economy. I think New Zealand's strength has always been using our voice on the issues that matter, and we've been consistent on it. There is power in that.
Show less «
Probably being in politics is the worst place for me to be.
Probably being in politics is the worst place for me to be.
I'm the one who's put myself into politics, so I'm the one that really should be wearing that front-...
Show more »
I'm the one who's put myself into politics, so I'm the one that really should be wearing that front-facing role.
Show less «
We aspire to be a government for all New Zealanders and one that will seize the opportunity to build...
Show more »
We aspire to be a government for all New Zealanders and one that will seize the opportunity to build a fairer, better New Zealand.
Show less «
We spent the election campaign really canvassing where we were as a nation, deciding who had the man...
Show more »
We spent the election campaign really canvassing where we were as a nation, deciding who had the mandate to change that up going forward. But I think the challenge for us will be, as with any government, your actions demonstrate your legacy.
Show less «
I would absolutely classify as being incredibly progressive the fact that I am the third female prim...
Show more »
I would absolutely classify as being incredibly progressive the fact that I am the third female prime minister.
Show less «
I hope for little girls and boys that there is a future where they can make choices about how they r...
Show more »
I hope for little girls and boys that there is a future where they can make choices about how they raise their family and what sort of career they have, which is based on what they want and what makes them happy.
Show less «
It is a woman's decision about when they choose to have children, and it should not predetermine whe...
Show more »
It is a woman's decision about when they choose to have children, and it should not predetermine whether or not they are given a job or have job opportunities.
Show less «
I do find it slightly offensive that everyone thinks that every New Zealander starred in either 'Lor...
Show more »
I do find it slightly offensive that everyone thinks that every New Zealander starred in either 'Lord of the Rings' or 'The Hobbit.'
Show less «
I am not the first woman to multi-task. I am not the first woman to work and have a baby - there are...
Show more »
I am not the first woman to multi-task. I am not the first woman to work and have a baby - there are many women who have done this before.
Show less «
Yes, we believe in globalization and trade, but we also believe in you being able to benefit from th...
Show more »
Yes, we believe in globalization and trade, but we also believe in you being able to benefit from that more. For too long, we progressives have seemed like part of the system. We need to start thinking about whether or not it's delivering for us now.
Show less «
Te Aroha was something we settled on quite early. It was our way of reflecting the amount of love th...
Show more »
Te Aroha was something we settled on quite early. It was our way of reflecting the amount of love this baby's been shown before she even arrived.
Show less «
Lots of people juggle a lot of things in their personal and private lives, and I'm not unusual in th...
Show more »
Lots of people juggle a lot of things in their personal and private lives, and I'm not unusual in that. Plenty of women have multitasked before me, and I want to acknowledge that.
Show less «
When I came into politics, I remember reading these scorecards of my performance, and I would routin...
Show more »
When I came into politics, I remember reading these scorecards of my performance, and I would routinely have these comments about not being assertive enough.
Show less «
I really rebel against this idea that politics has to be a place full of ego and where you're consta...
Show more »
I really rebel against this idea that politics has to be a place full of ego and where you're constantly focused on scoring hits against each one another. Yes, we need a robust democracy, but you can be strong, and you can be kind.
Show less «
The challenging thing from a work perspective is just the range of things on any given day that you'...
Show more »
The challenging thing from a work perspective is just the range of things on any given day that you're dealing with and making sure you have the head space to really be giving them the thought and consideration you'd like, too.
Show less «
From a personal perspective, I am so looking forward to my new role as a parent. But I am equally fo...
Show more »
From a personal perspective, I am so looking forward to my new role as a parent. But I am equally focused on my job and responsibilities as prime minister.
Show less «
Getting stopped in the middle of the lingerie section, when you're trying to stock up on a few thing...
Show more »
Getting stopped in the middle of the lingerie section, when you're trying to stock up on a few things, by an older man who wants a selfie is a little bit awkward... but I don't let that get in the way of me trying to do normal things, because that is when I get to interact with people as well. Preferably not amongst the underwear, though.
Show less «
I thought, how do I reflect the generosity, particularly of all the iwi who gifted us names - and Te...
Show more »
I thought, how do I reflect the generosity, particularly of all the iwi who gifted us names - and Te Aroha seemed to be a way.
Show less «
I think that has to do with our perception of politics. There are nice politicians. There is somethi...
Show more »
I think that has to do with our perception of politics. There are nice politicians. There is something about this job that does take an extra bit of motivation to get out of bed in the morning.
Show less «
I hate the idea of anyone thinking that I don't put a lot of thought about the cost to taxpayers. I ...
Show more »
I hate the idea of anyone thinking that I don't put a lot of thought about the cost to taxpayers. I make our ministers travel to events in vans to pool together.
Show less «
Even going out to get milk becomes a little bit challenging, just because there is a whole entourage...
Show more »
Even going out to get milk becomes a little bit challenging, just because there is a whole entourage that then travels with me for this simple thing. So I tend to try and find ways not to inconvenience a whole raft of other people, so it changes my mindset a little bit.
Show less «
As soon as I came in as leader, we had seven weeks to an election, so we had to be entirely focused ...
Show more »
As soon as I came in as leader, we had seven weeks to an election, so we had to be entirely focused on the job we had in front of us.
Show less «
A lot of women in New Zealand feel like they have to make a choice between having babies and having ...
Show more »
A lot of women in New Zealand feel like they have to make a choice between having babies and having a career or continuing their career. So is that a decision you feel you have to make or that you feel you've already made?
Show less «
The most difficult thing for us to do is to mitigate and offset our agricultural emissions. If we fi...
Show more »
The most difficult thing for us to do is to mitigate and offset our agricultural emissions. If we find a way to do that, then we're showing other countries how to do it, too.
Show less «
I'm constantly anxious about making mistakes.
I'm constantly anxious about making mistakes.
Never feel like you have to tick all of the boxes on everything to be able to feel like you can do a...
Show more »
Never feel like you have to tick all of the boxes on everything to be able to feel like you can do a job. I have heard it said many times before, and it is so true.
Show less «
I refuse to be held up as some kind of superwoman because, in my mind, the superwomen are the ones w...
Show more »
I refuse to be held up as some kind of superwoman because, in my mind, the superwomen are the ones who do it on their own. I have my partner, who will be a stay-at-home father. I will do as much as I can, but I will have a village around me, and there's lots of people who don't have that.
Show less «
My grandma was a very traditional woman but, at the same time, would want me to have kids.
My grandma was a very traditional woman but, at the same time, would want me to have kids.
Back in the early days of my political career, I was called Socialist Cindy. I just hate the nicknam...
Show more »
Back in the early days of my political career, I was called Socialist Cindy. I just hate the nickname Cindy.
Show less «
I have already been a big believer in a model of nurse/family partnerships: the idea of having - for...
Show more »
I have already been a big believer in a model of nurse/family partnerships: the idea of having - for those mums that might benefit from a bit of extra support - having those visits scaled up a bit. I believed in it before; I absolutely believe in it now. So that is probably one of the things that affirmed something I already supported.
Show less «
I'll be prime minister and a mum, and Clarke will be 'first man of fishing' and stay-at-home dad. I ...
Show more »
I'll be prime minister and a mum, and Clarke will be 'first man of fishing' and stay-at-home dad. I think it's fair to say that this will be a wee one that a village will raise, but we couldn't be more excited.
Show less «
We're looking to ways to build in the responsibility we have on climate change and the way that we a...
Show more »
We're looking to ways to build in the responsibility we have on climate change and the way that we approach, potentially, climate change refuges in the future amongst our neighbors.
Show less «
If you sit and wait to feel like you are the most confident person in the room, you are probably goi...
Show more »
If you sit and wait to feel like you are the most confident person in the room, you are probably going to be left by yourself.
Show less «
At a personal level, it's just the day-to-day: I'm a mum that needs to meet all of the responsibilit...
Show more »
At a personal level, it's just the day-to-day: I'm a mum that needs to meet all of the responsibilities that come with being a mum, making sure that Neve has the basics, that she's fed, that she's loved, that she sleeps as much as we're able to get her to sleep, and we will do that together. That's a practical reality of my new role.
Show less «
One of the things I'm so determined to preserve and restore is the fact that you can be the kid who ...
Show more »
One of the things I'm so determined to preserve and restore is the fact that you can be the kid who was born in Dinsdale and find yourself working for the British government in the U.K., to being prime minister.
Show less «
We've had a debate about immigration in New Zealand for some time. Now what we're trying to champion...
Show more »
We've had a debate about immigration in New Zealand for some time. Now what we're trying to champion in that conversation is a recognition that New Zealand has been built off immigration. I myself am a third-generation New Zealander.
Show less «
Everyone knows that I have just accepted, with short notice, the worst job in politics.
Everyone knows that I have just accepted, with short notice, the worst job in politics.
It becomes tricky if you ever try to partition off what might be seen as sexist criticism. To be hon...
Show more »
It becomes tricky if you ever try to partition off what might be seen as sexist criticism. To be honest, I just don't engage. The best way I can rebel against those notions is being competent, good at my job.
Show less «
The fact I'm the third female Prime Minister, I never grew up believing my gender would stand in the...
Show more »
The fact I'm the third female Prime Minister, I never grew up believing my gender would stand in the way of doing anything I wanted.
Show less «
One of the criticisms I've faced over the years is that I'm not aggressive enough or assertive enoug...
Show more »
One of the criticisms I've faced over the years is that I'm not aggressive enough or assertive enough, or maybe somehow, because I'm empathetic, it means I'm weak. I totally rebel against that. I refuse to believe that you cannot be both compassionate and strong.
Show less «
