'Faux pas' insult by Ardern raises $63,000 for charity
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The 'Faux pas' insult by New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern was auctioned for more than $63,000.
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David Seymour and Jacinda Ardern sign the printout of Hansard they planned to auction off for charity. Source: ACT Party
A signed transcript of a parliamentary exchange in which New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern referred to a political opponent as an "arrogant prick" was auctioned on Thursday for more than $63,000.
"Can't say I expected this," Ardern posted on social media after what she described as her "faux pas with the old mic in parliament" raised the sum for New Zealand's Prostate Cancer Foundation.
Following a contentious confrontation during a parliamentary session last week, a microphone captured the New Zealand premier muttering the insult, which was directed at political rival David Seymour.
After responding to a scathing query from Seymour, head of the right-liberal party ACT, Ardern was heard stating, "He's such an arrogant prick," before resuming her seat.
Seymour petitioned the speaker of New Zealand's parliament to get an apology from Ardern, which meant her comment was written in official records, known as the Hansard.
He decided to join forces for a good cause and they both signed a copy of the transcript which was framed before being auctioned.
"The interest was greater than anyone dreamed," Seymour said in a statement, after having told AFP he had only expected the transcript to reach a fraction of the winning bid of NZ$100,100 ($63,200).
Ardern also "thanked everyone who placed a bid" and praised Seymour for being "a good sport", a compliment the ACT leader reciprocated. "When I suggested this to her, she immediately agreed," Seymour said.
"I have been blown away by the kindness of bidders who are helping pricks everywhere with their generosity," he added.
