The CNN Film Prime Minister is a rare, intimate portrait of the tenure of New Zealand’s former prime minister, Jacinda Ardern.
Filmed over seven years, Prime Minister is an unflinching look at Ardern’s extraordinary political career, tracing her unexpected ascent to leadership in 2017, when at 37 she became one of the youngest heads of state in the world and the second ever to give birth while in office. Spotlighting her compassionate response to national tragedy and her global influence as a voice for empathy in politics, Prime Minister captures a leader who defied convention and inspired millions while navigating relentless public scrutiny and personal challenges.

The film offers unprecedented access to Ardern’s private and political life through candid interviews, home videos shot by her husband, and rare archival material from her time in office. As Ardern steps away from public life, Prime Minister provides a powerful reflection on leadership, motherhood, and the demands of governing in an age of misinformation and division.