Former New Zealand PM Jacinda Ardern to take up anti-extremism role

FILE PHOTO: Then New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern addresses the 77th United Nations General Assembly at U.N. headquarters in New York City, New York, U.S., September 23, 2022. REUTERS/Caitlin Ochs/File Photo

MELBOURNE (Reuters) - Former New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern will take up an unpaid role leading the country's efforts against violent online extremism, the government said on Tuesday.

Ardern stepped down as leader earlier this year, in a surprise decision that brought ally Chris Hipkins to power as head of the centre-left Labour Party.