New Zealand PM’s ‘arrogant prick’ comment auctioned for charity

Sydney, Australia, Dec 16 (EFE).- A signed copy of the transcript of a parliamentary session where New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern was caught calling an opposition party leader an “arrogant prick” is being auctioned off to raise money for a prostate cancer charity.

The document, signed by both Ardern and ACT Party leader David Seymour, had reached NZ$ 45,500 (about $28,900) by Friday evening, the Trade Me auction website said.

Ardern made the comment during question time on Tuesday when asked by Seymour to give an example of “making a mistake, apologizing for it properly, and fixing it.”

After she finished her reply, she sat back down next to her deputy Grant Robertson and could be heard saying “he’s such an arrogant prick” under her breath.

The comment was broadcast on parliament television as the speaker announced the next question.

Ardern later apologized to Seymour, who accepted the apology.

“In the spirit of a Kiwi Christmas, two political foes unite to raise money for a good cause,” the auction website said.

The proceeds of the auction will be donated to the Prostate Cancer Foundation.

On the website, Ardern and Seymour appear smiling in a series of photographs signing the copy of the transcript in her office.

The auction, titled “Ardern, Seymour join forces for pricks everywhere,” began on Thursday and will close on Dec. 22.

The winner will receive “a framed printout of the Parliamentary Hansard co-signed by the Rt. Hon. Prime Minister, Jacinda Ardern and one-time arrogant prick, ACT Party Leader David Seymour.”

One in eight men in the Oceania country get prostate cancer in their lifetime. EFE

wat/pd