Jacinda Ardern's Guardian interview: Morning sickness, Trump and selfies in the underwear section

Jacinda Ardern opened up on her "normal life", saying she still drove herself places. Photo / Supplied

Jacinda Ardern has opened up about dealing with morning sickness, Donald Trump's views on women and selfies with fans in the underwear section.

A photo of the Prime Minister features on the front page of the UK's Guardian beneath a story about the country's gender pay gap.

She is quoted as saying: "I had 16 weeks of morning sickness. And no one knew about it... A lot of people struggle with things in their day to day lives that their workmates will never know about and I just happen to be one of them."

Jacinda Ardern was interviewed for the Guardian story. Photo / via Guardian

In a story inside, Ardern says being pregnant was a reminder that there was a life beyond being Prime Minister.

"But I think the beauty of children, at least I know this to be true of my family, is that they draw you away from that thing, and just make you have that wider perspective. There have been a couple of meetings where I have been working away, very focused on an issue, and I'll get a sharp kick in the ribcage and it is this little reminder that there is something else going on in my life, too."

She also opens up on her "normal life", saying she still drove herself places.

"The wonderful police officers who spend time with me I don't think appreciate that, but I do still drive. I do still cook, not often, but just last week, I really felt like making one of my mum's old recipes – so I did. I do still go to our local department store to buy things like maternity jeans that no one else can really do for me.

"Getting stopped in the middle of the lingerie section when you're trying to stock up on a few things by an older man who wants a selfie is a little bit awkward … but I don't let that get in the way of me trying to do normal things, because that is when I get to interact with people as well. Preferably not amongst the underwear though.

"Even going out to get milk becomes a little bit challenging. Just because there is a whole entourage that then travels with me for this simple thing. So I tend to try and find ways not to inconvenience a whole raft of other people, so it changes my mindset a little bit."

When asked about Trump's treatment of women, she said: "All I know is that is something I can control and feel responsible for. And I know what I feel comfortable with, so when that comes to the way we portray women for me it's just how I like to be treated, how would I like to be talked about, how would I like my mother to be treated and talked about, and that is the lens that I apply.

"Can't change the way that anyone else behaves though," she says.

Ardern also told the Guardian she expects her country could become a republic within her lifetime.

"When I have been asked for an opinion, I think within my lifetime I think it is a likelihood we will transition. It is not something this government is prioritising at all though."