Why is Jacinda Ardern absent from New Zealand election campaign?

Former PM became lighting rod for discontent' among some voters as analysts say her time in office associated with Covid fallout

As the final month of campaigning in New Zealand's election begins, one figure is noticeably absent for observers abroad: former prime minister Jacinda Ardern.

Ardern dominated political life in New Zealand for five years, until her shock resignation in January 2023. Now, as she wrote on Instagram in April, she is helpfully" at Harvard during New Zealand's election campaign.

Ardern was elected in 2017 on a wave of Jacindamania and her extremely high popularity endured, carrying the Labour party under her leadership to a historic win in 2020. She enjoyed stratospheric popularity abroad too - featuring on the cover of Vogue and as a favourite guest of late-night talkshows in the US.