Ex-New Zealand PM sounds anti-monarchy alarm after revealing details from secret chat with late Queen

The former Prime Minister of New Zealand has said she believes that the Land of the Long White Cloud will become a republic in her lifetime. Dame Jacinda Ardern, 45, became the youngest Prime Minister of New Zealand in more than 150 years when she was elected back in 2017 at the age of 37.During her tenure, which lasted until January 2023, she managed the global Covid-19 pandemic – in which New Zealand operated strict policies in shutting borders and instructed people to stay at home – and became a mother for the first time.Ms Ardern stepped down from her role after more than four years, citing occupational burnout. TRENDING Stories Videos Your Say In her upcoming memoir, A Different Kind of Power, serialised in The Times, she said she felt she was becoming a bit defensive.I could feel myself tiring, she wrote. I felt like I needed to take some of the heat out of politics and maybe my departure would do that.During her time in power, Ms Ardern served under both Queen Elizabeth II and King Charles III.In the memoir, she shared a candid and frank discussion she had with the late Queen while she was pregnant.I asked Queen Elizabeth II, ‘How did you do it?’ She said in a rather resolute way, 'Well, you just get on with it.' She was right, Mrs Ardern said.What she was saying was there’s no big secret to it, you just take every day as it comes.That simple, practical advice was exactly what I needed.Despite her relationship with both monarchs, the former Prime Minister went on to claim that New Zealand will become a republic in my lifetime.LATEST ROYAL NEWSKing Charles left 'saddened' by Bedford train crash as monarch releases statementAndrew 'wants taxpayer-funded security after altercation near Sandringham Estate'Prince Harry warned trip to the UK is a 'new tactic that could backfire'It’s not top of the agenda for New Zealand because there are so many other really important things going on, she wrote.But if you ask the question, many would say it’s something that should be in our future. It’ll take time.It’s a complex picture because of the Crown’s relationship with indigenous New Zealanders.A British monarch has ruled as Head of State in New Zealand since the British sovereign was created under Queen Victoria in 1840.Chris Hipkins, who served as Prime Minister of New Zealand for 10 months after Mrs Ardern left her position, mirrored his predecessor's sentiments.Ideally, in time, New Zealand will become a fully independent country, will stand on our own two feet in the world, as we by and large do now, he said back in 2023.I don’t think that swapping out the governor general for some other form of head of state is necessarily an urgent priority right now, though.New Zealand Republic, the nation's primary republican lobby group, was founded in 1994.The website says the heart of work is our campaign for a New Zealand head of state.Having an independent head of state does not require a codified constitution, change to the Treaty of Waitangi or to Commonwealth membership, it adds.These principles and objectives are part of our Constitution and bind all members of New Zealand Republic Inc.The role of the monarchy in New Zealand, though, is mostly symbolic. King Charles simply holds a ceremonial role and is represented by a governer-general, a position currently held by Cindy Kiro.Our Standards: The GB News Editorial Charter