Back to business
PM Ardern talks about her big task ahead
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern will soon be trying to win over the boardrooms but for now she is in her Sandringham house surrounded by the usual paraphernalia of a newborn baby.
A pink flannel sits abandoned on the window sill next to the sofa, boxes on the floor are loaded with blankets, beanies and the accoutrements of breastfeeding.
As Ardern sits down for the interview, her partner Clarke Gayford makes a cup of tea in the background.
Ardern worries a breast pump might be in shot and then peeks in the Frozen bag from the Herald which has hand-made cards and a gift for their daughter Neve from readers.
The stories too are the usual newborn ones.
Ardern and Gayford share the load of the night time wake-ups, but Gayford is ahead on nappy changes. He has taken the time-saving step of giving up shaving and now has a luxuriant beard.
His fishing boat does not get quite as much use as it once did.
Asked what caught her by surprise about motherhood, Ardern heads straight to the poo talk.
“That a baby can go so long without pooing. There you go. That’s the first thing that came to mind. I did not expect that. Apparently completely normal as well.”
The messiest incident was the opposite problem.
“The Poonami” is significant enough occasion to warrant pronouncing as if it had capitals.
“It is just as it sounds. Everything coming at once.”
The only response was prolonged laughter and a mop-up.
Ardern, Gayford and Neve along with two grandmothers on rotate will go to Wellington to settle into Premier House.
On Monday, Ardern will go back to the 9th floor of the Beehive, which now has a
I think lots of parents feel guilt that either they’re not doing enough in their parenting role, or they’re not doing enough in their nine-to-five role.
Jacinda Ardern
changing table and cot.
Asked about that moment when she has to walk out of the door and leave Neve with Gayford, Ardern says she is used to the idea but knows there is a store of guilt ahead of her.
“I understand how acute it will feel. But I think lots of parents feel guilt that either they’re not doing enough in their parenting role, or they’re not doing enough in their nine-to-five role.
“There is guilt behind every door. I am definitely aware of that. We can’t do everything. The best we can do is make the best of it.”
Ardern’s job is more than nine to five and she is also heading back into something of a political poonami.
The teachers are due to strike, the nurses already have and the Government remains at loggerheads with Australia over the deportations policy. The inquiry into the appointment of Deputy Police Commissioner Wally Haumaha awaits.
The most worrying item on the to-do list is dealing with the economy — or at least concerns of business.
National has wrought some havoc with slumps in business confidence numbers and warnings of an economic slowdown globally.
Ardern says she will move into “stage two” of Labour’s plan — and first off the blocks will be addressing business confidence. “We are in good shape, but for me perception matters too, so I really want to tackle that.”
She is wary of
Neve’s privacy. No photographs are allowed and instead four photos are provided of the family. Neve’s face is obscured in all. But as the interview ended, in the background a highpitched cooing could be heard. Ardern says it is Gayford. “He used to talk to Paddles [the cat] like that too.”
Neve has woken up from a nap and is brought out by Gayford for an introduction.
Ardern cradles her and Neve blinks back. Ardern coos to her, “I’m sorry for talking about your poo.”