A sold-out Regent Theatre audience gave a lengthy and heartfelt standing ovation to welcome Dame Jacinda Ardern and Grant Robertson to the stage last night, a warmth the former prime minister said she had always felt from Dunedin.
“I cried last night in Wellington, so it’s only fair to have a cry here too,” Ardern said moments after stepping onto the stage. Now based in Sydney, she told the crowd she was happy to be back home in New Zealand for her national book tour.
The special event, presented by the Dunedin Writers and Readers Festival, saw the two former leaders in a one-off conversation to promote their recently published autobiographies. Ardern’s book, ‘A Different Kind of Power’, and Robertson’s, ‘Anything Could Happen’, both traverse the pair’s intertwined personal and political histories. The Dunedin event was Ardern’s only stop in the South Island.
A reunion of friends
Hosted by broadcaster Stacey Morrison, the evening was framed as an intimate chat between two old mates. The discussion quickly turned to their long-standing friendship, which began when they were both advisors to former prime minister Helen Clark. They shared an office where, as Robertson recalled, he had a tendency to swear and leave piles of paper everywhere, in contrast to Ardern's preference for a tidy desk and low lighting.
The conversation was filled with humour and self-deprecating jokes. At one point, discussing the rare moments they disagreed while in power, Ardern joked, “This sounds like couples counselling. Don’t fight in front of the kids.” Robertson later playfully welcomed the audience to their “therapy session” as they reflected on their decisions to leave politics.
Their rapport was evident throughout the 75-minute conversation, from joking about Robertson introducing the ex-Mormon Ardern to “the restorative power of a hangover sausage roll,” to more personal revelations. Robertson shared that his proudest moment was when Ardern asked him to be her wedding celebrant, a ceremony that was famously delayed by an hour due to an overhead news helicopter.
Reflections on a tumultuous era
While the atmosphere was warm, the tight security, which included a visible police presence, bag searches, and metal detectors, served as a stark reminder of the contentious nature of their time in government. A small group of protestors stood silently outside holding signs, a quiet counterpoint to the adulation inside.
The mood inside grew more sombre when the conversation turned to the immense pressures of leading New Zealand through a series of crises, including the Christchurch mosque shootings, the Whakaari/White Island eruption, and the Covid-19 pandemic. Ardern spoke of the sadness she felt while writing the Covid-19 chapters of her book.
She said her government had two goals during the pandemic: to save lives and to keep people together. “I’m not sure we did that,” she confessed, reflecting on the social divisions that emerged. “But I feel proud that even the people who don’t like our response are alive.”
Despite the heavy subject matter, the audience was highly receptive, frequently applauding and murmuring in agreement, even when the topic turned to tax reform. The discussion also touched on key themes from their books, such as the importance of empathetic leadership. Ardern argued that imposter syndrome, often seen as a negative trait, actually made her a better leader. “Wouldn’t we be better if we had more humility in leadership?” she asked.
A promise to return
The evening concluded with pre-selected questions from the audience. Asked what advice she would give to a woman wanting to enter politics but fearing being labelled an “angry woman,” Ardern’s response was clear: “Persist, and don’t reframe who you are.”
For the final question, Morrison asked what each wished for the other. Ardern, ever the diplomat, wished her friend “joy, happiness, fulfilment,” and freedom from his back pain. Robertson’s wish was for Ardern to return to New Zealand. “My big wish is for you to move home,” he said, drawing the loudest applause of the night.
“That will happen,” Ardern promised the cheering crowd. “You can’t get rid of me.” The event underscored the deep affection and respect between the two political figures, offering a rare, personal glimpse into a partnership that shaped a defining era of New Zealand’s history. The city of Dunedin, with its vibrant arts scene, including the popular Dunedin Folk Club, provided a fittingly warm backdrop for the reunion.
