Watch: New Zealand PM Unruffled As Earthquake Disrupts Press Conference
NDTV
New Zealand often experiences weak to medium intensity earthquakes as it lies on the seismically active "Ring of Fire"
New Zealand's Prime Minister, Jacinda Ardern, paused briefly as an earthquake rattled the capital Wellington on Friday while she was addressing the nation in a coronavirus briefing, but then continued speaking. The only deal I'd like signed between the U.K and New Zealand, is the trading of Prime Ministers.While Boris Johnson paints in a luxury villa during national crises. Here's Jacinda Ardern giving a COVID press conference during a 5.9 magnitude earthquake. pic.twitter.com/Sr5vw02r8U
Wellington and nearby areas were shaken by a 5.9 magnitude earthquake with the epicentre 35 km (21.75 miles) south-west of Taumarunui in central North Island, according to Geonet. While the shaking was felt widely there were no reports of damages or injuries. The U.S. Geological Survey put the magnitude at 5.6.
Ardern briefly grabbed her podium when the shaking began, smiled, and told a reporter asking a question: "Sorry, a slight distraction ... would you mind repeating that question?"
She told reporters at the end of the event that Deputy Prime Minister Grant Robertson, who was also on the stage, was not entirely convinced it was an earthquake and wondered if it was just strong wind blowing.
