Jacinda Ardern wins Best Political Book at the 2025 Westminster Book Awards

Former New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has won Best Political Book by a Non-Parliamentarian at the 2025 Westminster Book Awards for her memoir A Different Kind of Power. The award was presented on Wednesday 4 February 2026 at a ceremony held at the Houses of Parliament.

The Westminster Book Awards celebrate outstanding political writing and are uniquely curated by independent bookshops and voted for by parliamentarians. Ardern’s book was recognised for its thoughtful and deeply personal account of leadership, reflecting on her time in office and her belief in empathy, communication and collective responsibility as forces for political change.

A Different Kind of Power was shortlisted alongside works by Sarah Wynn-Williams, Plestia Alaqad and Monica Feria-Tinta, and stood out in a year that showcased the breadth and impact of contemporary political writing. The awards overall highlight books that deepen public understanding of political life and leadership, and that engage with some of the most pressing issues shaping the world today.

FANZA warmly congratulates Jacinda Ardern on this significant achievement. Her win marks another moment of international recognition and highlights the continued global influence of New Zealand voices in political, cultural and intellectual life.