Jacinda Ardern keeps cool as earthquake rattles press conference
New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern managed to keep her cool as an earthquake rattled the North Island this morning.
Ms Ardern was listening to a question asked by a journalist when the building that housed them started shaking.
The politician grabbed her podium and looked to the side quickly, before turning around with a smile.
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Jacinda Ardern looked around quickly. Supplied
"Sorry, a slight distraction," Ms Ardern said.
"Would you mind repeating the question?"
The US Geological Survey (USGS) confirmed a magnitude 5.6 earthquake struck 33 kilometres near Taumarunui on the North Island around 8:58 am.
Before turning and smiling to the journalist who asked the question. Supplied
New Zealand is no stranger to earthquakes as it's located on the edge of The Ring of Fire; a geographical area characterised by active volcanoes and frequent earthquakes.
In May 2020, a 5.9 earthquake struck near New Zealand's capital Wellington - again interrupting Ms Ardern mid-interview.
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