Jacinda Ardern's new jobs revealed: Special envoy to Christchurch Call, work with Prince William's Earthshot Prize

Former Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern is jumping from the ninth floor onto the world stage - with two new jobs.

She has been appointed New Zealand's special envoy for the Christchurch Call and she's also joined the board of Prince William's Earthshot Prize.

The special envoy role is a brand new position created by the Government - which Ardern will do for free.

The Christchurch Call was developed in the aftermath of the March 15 shootings to coordinate the work of governments, technology companies and other organisations on eliminating online violent extremist content. 

Ardern told Newshub she asked to keep working on the Christchurch Call because she feels so strongly about the cause.

"I believed it had more to do, and I knew that I would have the time to do it. And I certainly have the passion for it," she said.

She said the approach tech companies took to online extremism has fundamentally changed since the March 15 terror attacks, but there was more good work it could do.

"I also still feel a duty at a personal level to the community who are affected by this tragedy," she said.

She's warning AI and machine learning poses a new threat and is urging tech companies to think carefully about the ramifications as the technology evolves.

"My plea would be let's not build it and then try and retrieve it. Because that's what we did with the issue of live streaming," she said.

"Alongside the development of these new technologies, let's think about ethical AI - about the safety mechanisms. Let's think about it in advance."

Prime Minister Chris Hipkins says allowing Ardern to carry on her work with the Christchurch Call will allow him time to focus on cyclone recovery and cost of living pressures.

"Jacinda Ardern's leadership on the Christchurch Call has already made the world a safer place," he said.

She will start that role on April 17.

She's also joining the board of Prince William's Earthshot Prize - which gives away millions each year to find solutions to repair and protect the planet.

Ardern told Newshub she and Prince William had spoken about his plan and dream for the Prize before it even had a name.

"So to be able to come back full circle and support his work alongside an amazing board, I feel very lucky," said Ardern.

"I think we can demonstrate to the next generation that there is cause to feel hopeful for our future if we accelerate and support those innovators. That's what Earthshot does. So I'm really proud to be a part of the board," she said.

Prince William said it was an honour to welcome Jacinda Ardern to the team.

"Jacinda was one of the first people I spoke to [about the prize], and her encouragement and advice was crucial to the Prize's early success," he said.

"Her life-long commitment to supporting sustainable and environmental solutions along with her experience as Prime Minister of New Zealand, will bring a rich infusion of new thinking to our mission," said Prince William.

Last year, Ardern stepped in at late notice to give a speech on Prince William's behalf at a glitzy event for the prize in New York -  as he was grieving the death of his grandmother Queen Elizabeth II.

"I am an exceptionally poor substitute," she told the crowd at the time.

The prize has a budget of $50 million to give away over 10 years.

Ardern will serve alongside former UN Climate chief Christiana Figueres, David Fein, Tokunboh Ishamael, M Sanjayan, Jason Knauf, Zoe Ware and Jean-Christophe Gray. 

Ardern announced her resignation as Prime Minister in January after holding the job for five years.

She will deliver her valedictory speech in Parliament on Wednesday.