Daughter interrupts New Zealand PM’s livestream

Published November 11, 2021
New Zealand's Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern speaks during a press conference at the Parliament House in Wellington on November 6, 2020. — AFP/File
New Zealand's Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern speaks during a press conference at the Parliament House in Wellington on November 6, 2020. — AFP/File

WELLINGTON: New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern was busy telling the nation about important revisions to Covid-19 restrictions when an unexpected voice cut in: “mummy “?

In a situation familiar to parents worldwide, the leader’s three-year-old daughter Neve had decided everything, even the affairs of state, could wait.

“You’re meant to be in bed, darling,” the 41-year-old Kiwi leader says, turning away from the Monday’s Facebook livestream to offer an also-familiar observation-cum-plea.

“No,” Neve responds undeterred, launching what ended up being protracted, and for Ardern, fruitless, negotiations.

“It’s bedtime, darling, pop back to bed. I’ll come and see you in a second. I’ll come and see you in a minute. Okay, — sorry, everybody,” Ardern says with a wry smile.

“Well, that was a bedtime fail, wasn’t it? I thought here’s a moment I’ll do a Facebook Live, It will be nice and safe. Does anyone else have kids escape like three, four times after bedtime? Thankfully, my mum’s here so she can help out.” “Okay, where were we?” Ardern tried to continue.

Published in Dawn, November 11th, 2021

Opinion

Editorial

Smog hazard
Updated 05 Nov, 2024

Smog hazard

The catastrophe unfolding in Lahore is a product of authorities’ repeated failure to recognise environmental impact of rapid urbanisation.
Monetary policy
05 Nov, 2024

Monetary policy

IN an aggressive move, the State Bank on Monday reduced its key policy rate by a hefty 250bps to 15pc. This is the...
Cultural power
05 Nov, 2024

Cultural power

AS vital modes of communication, art and culture have the power to overcome social and international barriers....
Disregarding CCI
Updated 04 Nov, 2024

Disregarding CCI

The failure to regularly convene CCI meetings means that the process of democratic decision-making is falling apart.
Defeating TB
04 Nov, 2024

Defeating TB

CONSIDERING the fact that Pakistan has the fifth highest burden of tuberculosis in the world as per the World Health...
Ceasefire charade
Updated 04 Nov, 2024

Ceasefire charade

The US talks of peace, while simultaneously arming and funding their Israeli allies, are doomed to fail, and are little more than a charade.