'It's been such a long time': Dame Jacinda Ardern enters the election debate

Former Prime Minister Dame Jacinda Ardern has broken her relative silence on New Zealand politics to record a video urging people to support the Labour Party and asking them to donate to its election campaign.

Ardern has been living overseas for most of the time since leaving politics and currently resides in Australia. Like many former Prime Ministers, she has kept relatively silent about domestic politics.

In a video sent to Labour supporters, Ardern said “it’s been such a long time since I have popped into your inbox”.

“But I couldn’t think of a better time to jump on and say a quick ‘hello’ and also share two very quick messages.

“The first one is going to seem completely obvious but I have to say it out loud and that is just how much I support our Labour team. How much I am cheering for them, but in particular as leader my old colleague and friend Chris Hipkins, who I believe in wholeheartedly and who I have known for many many years and I know how deep his Labour values run.”

Ardern said she remembered her own time as Labour leader and how much it meant for her to have people volunteer or donate.

“In 2017, I still remember when the general secretary told me not just the amount we were able to raise online but when he told me how many people had given.

“Every single pledge, regardless of the dollar amount, is someone putting up their hand and saying they support you and that means so much in this campaign.”

Former Prime Ministers tend to commentate more the more time passes from their own tenures – Helen Clark and Sir John Key are both regular commentators.

Key opened National’s campaign launch this election and Clark has been commentating on a range of issues through a range of media.

Labour is well behind when it comes to large (over $20,000) donations, having declared only $890,000 this year.

National and Act have declared $2.3 million and $2.4m respectively. Labour typically does better with small donations, which do not have to be declared immediately.