Politics

Jacinda Ardern Didn’t Miss A Beat When Her Live Interview Was Interrupted By An Earthquake

"We're just having a bit of an earthquake here Ryan," Ardern said.

by Joseph Earp  26 May 2020
Jacinda Ardern Earthquake

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If there’s one thing that Jacinda Ardern has proven during her time as New Zealand’s Prime Minister, it’s that she is is singularly skilled at staying cool under a crisis.

Ardern projects a calming, professional energy at all times. When lockdown measures were first introduced in New Zealand, for instance, the PM took to Facebook live to answer any questions that her constituents might have. While Scott Morrison blundered his way through a series of awkward and confusing pressers, Ardern was proving totally unflappable.

Indeed, so collected is the New Zealand leader that she even weathered an actual earthquake, all without missing a beat.

See, Ardern was in the middle of being interviewed on live television when there was a sudden and dramatic rocking behind her. Never breaking eye contact with the camera, Ardern powered through, even sorta apologising for the natural occurrence going on around her.

“We’re just having a bit of an earthquake here Ryan,” Ardern said. “Quite a decent shake here. But if you see things moving behind me, the beehive [New Zealand’s parliament house] moves a little more than most.”

Oh, and just to cap things off? The Prime Minister let out one of those wry Jacinda Ardern chuckles.

Needless to say, since the clip went up, New Zealanders have responded with another outpouring of love and affection for their PM. But of them all, national treasure Sam Neill might have summed up the mood most succinctly.

Imagine having a leader who kept that cool during a crisis, hey?