Savage moment Jacinda Ardern shuts down a TV presenter with an epic one-liner after he questioned her coronavirus lockdown approach
- AM show host Duncan Garner got into a heated exchange with Jacinda Ardern
- The television presenter asked if she'd consider moving to a level 2 lockdown
- Country recorded no new cases for the first time since the peak of the outbreak
- Here’s how to help people impacted by Covid-19
Jacinda Ardern has shut down New Zealand television presenter Duncan Garner after he questioned her cautious approach to lifting coronavirus restrictions in a heated interview on air.
The prime minister, 39, appeared on the AM Show on Monday where she was asked whether she would consider moving to a level 2 lockdown after the country celebrated its first day without new COVID-19 cases.
New Zealand downgraded to a level 3 last week, effectively reopening the economy and sending 400,000 Kiwis back to work.
The Cabinet will assess whether it is ready to lessen restrictions once more at a meeting next week.
New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, 39, appeared on the AM Show on Monday where she was asked whether she would consider moving to a level 2 lockdown
AM Show host Duncan Garner criticised Ms Ardern's lockdown approach questioning her decision not to move to level 2 sooner
But Ms Ardern told Mr Garner the government would not consider moving to level 2 earlier then scheduled because she wants to be confident that they are in the 'best possible position' to do so.
Mr Garner responded by challenging the PM's approach, citing expert advice and low figures on coronavirus cases.
'What is it that you're looking for to move us to level 2?' he asked.
'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? '
An exasperated Ms Ardern replied: 'I didn't realise you were an epidemiologist, congratulations on your new qualifications.'
Garner, seemingly unimpressed with the tongue-in-cheek response, fired back: 'If you wanna get personal then that's fine, but I'm just asking a question.'
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The fiery exchange has since gone viral, with many social media users praising the PM for her response.
'Why is it always the white middle aged man that is always the loudest?' one person tweeted.
'I could watch this over and over again,' another said in response.
The heated moment was also turned into a meme with footage of the interview being combined with a clip of hecklers cheering on Ms Ardern.
Hundreds of Kiwis lined up to get their first McDonald's fix in weeks, after level four coronavirus restrictions were eased in New Zealand. Pictured: Dozens of cars wait in line in Christchurch
Ms Ardern (pictured with Scott Morrison in February) joined Australia's coronavirus cabinet meeting on Tuesday for the neighbouring countries to discuss reopening their borders to trans-Tasman travel
New Zealand on Monday cautiously celebrated a day without new COVID-19 cases for the first time since the peak of the pandemic.
Director-General of Health Ashley Bloomfield announced the promising result, the first day without fresh cases since March 16.
The country's COVID-19 death toll stands at 20, with 1137 confirmed nationwide cases.
Just four Kiwis currently require hospital treatment for the virus, with none in intensive care.
Ms Ardern joined Australia's coronavirus cabinet meeting on Tuesday for the neighbouring countries to discuss reopening their borders to trans-Tasman travel following their successes in containing the disease.
Following the meeting Ms Ardern said the logistics of how the 'travel bubble' would work were still being discussed.
She said the 'trans-Tasman bubble' would likely not include a quarantine period.
'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,' she said.
Both countries have a COVID-19 mortality rate of just 1 per cent and have boosted their medical equipment reserves as they plan to slowly reopen their economies, including restarting travel across the Tasman sea.
