Focus Live: PM Jacinda Ardern concerned about how much sleep NZ Herald political reporter Jason Walls is getting during coronavirus update.
Americans who have taken to Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern after watching her light-hearted interaction with Herald political reporter Jason Walls have said they want to move to New Zealand.
Some have even called for her to replace US President Donald Trump.
During a press conference this week, Ardern called onWalls to ask a question, only for Walls, who was multi-tasking by covering Ardern's responses live for the Herald, to briefly forget his initial question.
"We'll come back to you, no problem," laughed Ardern.
"I do worry about your sleep at the moment though Jason."
Ardern's good-natured response caught the eye of a Washington correspondent to United Arab Emirates media outlet The National, Joyce Karam, who shared the moment on Twitter.
At conference yesterday, Reporter forgot his Q. to NZ PM Jacinda Ardern. Here’s how it went:
• Jacinda: Justin • Reporter: Sorry it doesn’t matter • Jacinda: No problem..will come back to you...I do worry about your sleep atm, Justin pic.twitter.com/rovwRrfhyO
"At a time when journalists are under attack by US President, expelled by China, Egypt and censored by many authoritarian states, it's heartening to see civility in leadership," she wrote.
After watching the interaction, many Americans commented that it was time to move to New Zealand or wished that Ardern was their president.
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern had a reason to laugh during one of her media briefings. Photo / Getty
The video, which has received nearly 50,000 views, also left several overseas viewers confused over Ardern's Kiwi accent, as they were certain they had heard the name "Justin".
Karam was similarly surprised when notified of her mistake.
"Reporter's name is Jason, not Justin," she later clarified on Twitter.
NeedToKnow3
"Listened to it more than once and thought it's Justin.
"Maybe I need some sleep too and better understanding of Kiwi accent," she joked.
Best way to get a handle on our Kiwi accent is to understand that. while the rest of the English speaking world has 5 vowels, NZ has just one. Pronounced "uh".
