Watch: Jacinda Ardern reveals Christmas break plans and looks back on an eventful year - 'There's been so much to do'

December 15, 2017

Ms Ardern is looking forward to a break after a year in which “there’s been so much to do”.

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern says she is looking forward to a break in Gisborne where she plans to "do not very much" after an eventful year.

Ms Ardern, speaking this morning with TVNZ 1's Breakfast today, said this time last year she was focused on the Mount Albert electorate by-election.

The PM told the TVNZ1 Breakfast team she ‘loves traditional Christmas jumpers’

"I was planning for a by-election because we found out David Shearer was leaving Mt Albert, so last Christmas was ruined because I spent a lot of time [on it] ... at Mahia, I remember rolling out on the table electorate boundary maps and mapping out a strategy," she said.

Ms Ardern went on to win the by-election in February before becoming Labour leader only weeks before September's election after Andrew Little's shock stepping down.

Labour formed a coalition government after the election and Ms Ardern became Prime Minister.

The PM has signed up to a Secret Santa event run by NZ Post.

Christmas is often a time for reflection, she said, and she hadn't found much time after the election to consider her own direction and goals.

"I do think a lot over that period - plan a lot - but when it comes to goals I'm a total pragmatist," Ms Ardern said.

"I'm a very practical person, so I'll sit down and map out the things I want to achieve for a year - last year was winning Mount Albert.

"There's been so much to do ... I've got a whole team relying on me now, so it felt like a bit of a distraction to sit and reflect too much."

Ms Ardern said she had, however, given some reflections to Archives New Zealand, who conduct regular phone interviews with leaders.

"Once a month or maybe a bit more regularly you do these phone calls where you just record the memorable things that have happened," she said.

"It means that we have this history - and I know everyone out there loves the political biographies that they're able to buy as a result."

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