WELLINGTON: A signed transcript of a parliamentary exchange in which New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern called a political rival an “arrogant prick” raised more than $63,000 for charity when bidding closed on Thursday in an online auction.

“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.

A microphone picked up New Zealand’s premier muttering the insult, aimed at political opponent David Seymour, following a heated exchange between the pair during a parliamentary session last week.

An exasperated Ardern was overheard saying “he’s such an arrogant prick” as she retook her seat after answering a barbed question from Seymour, leader of the right-liberalist party ACT.

Seymour petitioned the speaker of New Zealand’s parliament to get an apology from Ardern, which meant her comment was entered into the official record, known as the Hansard.—

Published in Dawn, December 23rd, 2022