Ardern stays cool as quake strikes during live interview
WELLINGTON (Reuters) — New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern was unflustered by an earthquake that struck the capital Wellington yesterday while she was doing a live television interview, and calmly continued with the program.
Ardern, who became prime minister in 2017, is hugely popular in New Zealand for her handling of several crises – a mass shooting in Christchurch last year, a volcanic eruption in December and the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.
Wellington and nearby areas were shaken by a 5.8 magnitude earthquake with the epicenter at 30 kilometers northwest of Levin, a city close to the capital, and at a depth of 37 kilometers, according to Geonet.
Ardern was speaking on a live TV interview at the time from the parliament building called the Beehive.
“We’re just having a bit of an earthquake here, Ryan...,” she told the host of the show Ryan Bridge, as she, the camera and other things around her shook.
“Quite a decent shake here ... if you see things moving behind me. The Beehive moves a little more than most,” she said.
Ardern assured the host that she was safe and the interview resumed. The video was soon viral on social media. There were no damages and no injuries, Ardern confirmed at a news conference later, but the shaking that lasted for more than 30 seconds caused panic in Wellington with several people in offices and homes getting under their tables for cover.