Jacinda Ardern Gloriously Shuts Down TV Presenter During Coronavirus Interview

Jacinda Ardern provided viewers with a must-watch moment when she delivered a withering response to shut down a question from a TV host.

The New Zealand prime minister was being quizzed on the coronavirus and her government's approach to easing restrictions.

She appeared on The AM Show with presenter Duncan Garner, who put Ms Ardern through her paces on the issue of of relaxing some of the lockdown rules that have been in place for weeks, and whether it was appropriate to do so.

The country is currently on Alert Level Three (i.e. high risk - the disease is not contained) and the prime minister said they won't be moving back to Level Two (where the disease is contained, but there is still the danger of community transmission) until they could comfortably say the risk was low.

But Mr Garner quipped back, saying: "What is it that you're looking for to move us to Level Two?'

"Because I reckon this week looks like last week, and next week could look like this week, and all the international experts say this is going to be the new normal for months and months and months. What are we waiting for?"

The AM Show/Three

Keeping her composure, Jacinda Ardern politely told the TV presenter to get stuffed in the best way possible.

"I didn't realise you were an epidemiologist, congratulations on your new qualifications," she replied.

Many people have opinions on what should happen during the pandemic and how the virus works. But the health experts are the ones with the clearest understanding of what's happening.

Duncan Garner wasn't exactly impressed with the retort, saying back to her: "If you wanna get personal then that's fine, but I'm just asking a question."

The AM Show/Three

Ms Ardern recently floated the idea of introducing a 'Trans-Tasman Bubble' system, where Australians and Kiwis could travel across the ditch for work and pleasure.

While the project wouldn't be available in the immediate future, it's an idea that is supported by state and federal ministers. What's more, this proposal wouldn't require a two-week quarantine period.

Ms Ardern said: "People wouldn't travel if they had to stay on either side in quarantine for a two-week period and have to do the same when you return. But there is still a lot of work to be done before we can progress an idea like that."

We've been told not to expect the deal to be forged in a matter of weeks, but later in the year it could definitely be a possibility.

There's even talk of resuming flights between Hobart and New Zealand, something that hasn't been running for more than 20 years.

Topics: News, Coronavirus

Stewart Perrie

Stewart Perrie is a Trending Journalist at LADbible. His first job was as a newsreader and journalist at the award winning Sydney radio station, Macquarie Radio. He was solely responsible for the content broadcast on multiple stations across Australia when the MH17, Germanwings and AirAsia disasters unfolded. Stewart has covered the conflict in Syria for LADbible, interviewing a doctor on the front line, and has contributed to the hugely successful UOKM8 campaign.

@stewartperrie