‘Wonder if Obama…’: New Zealand PM Jacinda Ardern counters reporter’s sexist question

Ardern’s response came after a reporter asked if the two women are meeting just because they are close in age. Marin is 37 and Ardern is 42.

Elaborating on his question, the reporter said, “A lot of people will be wondering, are you two meeting just because you’re similar in age and, you know, got a lot of common stuff there…Or can Kiwi’s actually expect to see more deals down the line between the two countries…”.

However, before he could finish his question, Ardern interrupted and said, “My first question is I wonder whether or not anyone ever asked Barack Obama and John Key and if they met because they were of similar age. We, of course, have a higher proportion of men in politics. It’s a reality. But just because two women meet, it’s not simply because of their gender.”

Watch NZ Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern pick apart this reporter’s question during a joint press conference with Finnish PM Sanna Marin. He asked the pair ‘are you two meeting because you’re similar in age and got a lot of common stuff there?’
Read more: https://t.co/eTtJEqJoFZ pic.twitter.com/UBEZs1kzvF

— SBS News (@SBSNews) November 30, 2022

She then went on to elaborate the multimillion-dollar exchanges that both countries have between them and added that they will be discussing things such as the Free trade Agreement provisions because “it’s our job to further it regardless of our gender”.

After Ardern’s answer, Marin added, “We are meeting because we’re prime ministers”. She then said this time both countries aim to focus on reducing their dependency on natural resources and technology from authoritarian regimes such as Russia.

How embarrassing for that reporter. Answered so kindly and in such depth by both PMs. One in a second language, using vocabulary that must have challenged him. I hope there was a small enough rock around that he could crawl under.

— DebG🦎 (@debg97) November 30, 2022

This is the politest version of ‘Are you kidding me?’ I’ve ever heard

— Brian McHugh 🌏🏳️‍🌈 (@BrianMcHugh2011) November 30, 2022

Beautifully articulated response from both women and done with a smile on their face! Wow, what politics could be with decent, thoughtful and intelligent people in place. 🙌👏👏👌

— The Coffee Guy (@TCGgeelong) November 30, 2022

What a patronising question, love their articulate & intelligent response to such boring misogyny. #notjournalism

— 🌿Farmer Renée tweets typos 🐞 (@cottonfarmgirl) November 30, 2022

I’m impressed, immensely impressed with both these leaders. However, a reporter that know so little about subject & has such poor communication & or command of language so as to repeat “stuff” in a question… No respect for him at all

— Daniel Gratton (@iDGiam) November 30, 2022

What a pathetic question
What great responses !

— Breoganie (@breoganie) November 30, 2022

The way Ardern and Marin addressed the sexist overtones of the question has impressed netizens. A clip of their press conference has gone viral with 2.8 million views.

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Commenting on this video, a Twitter user wrote, “Classy answers to an incredibly idiotic question”. Another person remarked, “I love this. How to answer misogyny with style”.