New Zealand PM auctions transcript of "arrogant prick" comment
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New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern is turning to creative ways to raise money for charity. The transcript of a parliamentary exchange in which she called a political opponent an "arrogant prick" is being auctioned off.
The money will be donated to a prostate cancer charity. By Friday, the auction had reached NZ $50,000 (over ₹ 26.3 lakh). It will end on December 22, 2022, reported The Guardian.
The copy of the parliamentary record is signed by Ardern and David Seymour, leader of the Libertarian right Act party. The document is titled "Ardern, Seymour join forces for pricks everywhere." The auction website card read: "In the spirit of a Kiwi Christmas, two political foes unite to raise money for a good cause. The winning buyer 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."
The incident took place on Tuesday when Seymour questioned whether the Prime Minister stood by all of her statements and policies. He also asked her to give an example of making a mistake and apologising for it properly and fixing it. Ardern provided a detailed response but muttered "such an arrogant prick" while sitting down. The remark was picked up by microphones and caught on camera.
Seymour demanded an apology from the Speaker and PM Ardern texted him an apology. The idea to join forces to raise money for charity came after that. Seymour told AFP that they are thrilled that the auction got "such good support" and hope to raise "a lot of money" with the signed document.