As New Zealand families tighten their belts amid economic pressures, the fact that former Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern continues to receive substantial taxpayer-funded benefits raises serious questions.
After stepping down in January 2023, Ardern enjoys a generous lifelong payout and perks, drawing from public funds as many Kiwis struggle to buy groceries. This article examines these benefits, their duration, and their burden on New Zealand taxpayers, shedding light on a system that some many find out of touch.
A Lifelong Annuity Draining Public Funds
Under the Members of Parliament (Remuneration and Services) Act 2013, former Prime Ministers who serve over two years are handed a lifelong annuity.
For Ardern, who led from October 2017 to January 2023 this means $57,000 NZD annually, paid directly from taxpayer pockets.
Calculated at $11,400 per year of service up to a $57,000 cap, this payment continues indefinitely.
With Ardern’s estimated net worth of $5–10 million USD, amassed after her entry into politics and her lucrative post-Parliament ventures such as book deals and speaking on topics such as “compasionate leadership” or “authentic kindness”, many are questioning why taxpayers are forced to bankroll her for life.
This unchallenged annuity feels like an unjustified burden on hardworking New Zealanders.
Costly Travel Perks Add Up
Beyond the annuity, Ardern, her partner, and dependent children under 18 receive domestic travel benefits, including up to 12 single airfares per year for her and 6 for her partner. These can cost taxpayers $10,000 to $20,000 NZD annually, depending on flight prices, with no fixed end date. While framed as support for former leaders, these perks are increasing anger as families cut back on essentials to make ends meet.
The possibility of additional international travel rebates, though not guaranteed, only deepens concerns about a system that seems to prioritize former politicians over ordinary citizens.
The lack of transparency around these costs leaves taxpayers in the dark about the true price of Ardern’s benefits.
No Salary, Lots of Gravy
Ardern briefly lingered as a backbench MP until April 2023, collecting a pro-rated salary of $163,961. Since leaving Parliament, she no longer draws an MP’s salary, but the annuity and travel perks ensure she remains a costly figure for taxpayers. The absence of other confirmed payments does little to soften the sting of these ongoing entitlements.
Sorting Fact from Fiction
Misinformation has muddied the waters, with some claiming Ardern pocketed funds from an $800,000 taxpayer-subsidized documentary. In truth, this money went to a film project, not her directly, but its existence still fuels dissent about how public funds are spent in her shadow.
While exaggerated claims about her wealth have been debunked, her substantial $5–10 million USD net worth underscores that she does not need taxpayer funding.
A System in Need of Scrutiny
Ardern’s benefits—at least $57,000 NZD annually not including travel costs—highlight a system that lavishes lifelong rewards on former politicians while families face rising costs for healthcare, education, and housing. The open-ended nature of these payments, with no clear mechanism to reassess their necessity, feels like a betrayal of public trust.
New Zealanders deserve a frank discussion about whether their hard-earned money should indefinitely prop up former leaders who’ve already moved on to more lucrative pastures.
