Jacinda Ardern 60 Minutes segment ‘creepy’, ‘sexist’, Charles Wooley slammed

New Zealanders slam a 60 Minutes Australia profile on Jacinda Ardern saying it should have come with a vomit bag and an “R” rating.

New Zealanders have slammed a 60 Minutes segment featuring their Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, with one media commentator saying it should have come with a vomit bag and an “R” rating.

In the 13-minute segment on the Sunday night Nine Network current affairs show, veteran journalist Charles Wooley marvelled at Ms Ardern’s age and appearance rather than her policies in an interview blasted as sexist and tone-deaf.

“I’ve met a lot of prime ministers in my time, but none so young, not too many so smart, and never one so attractive”, he said during the segment.

He also speculated on the date the pregnant 37-year-old politician’s baby was conceived and takes Ms Ardern’s partner Clarke Gayford on a fishing trip, only to deliver the line that “Jacinda was the catch of the day”.

“Wooley is so incredibly and relentlessly creepy,” NZ Herald columnist Steve Braunias wrote in an opinion piece this morning.

“It ought to come with an R18 certificate. It ought to come with a sickbag too. Only those of strong constitution will be able stop themselves throwing up a stream of vomit that could travel the entire ditch between here and Australia.

“Australian cinema has produced a handful of really good, really sick horror movies. One of the best was the earliest, Patrick (1978), about a guy who kills a lot of people despite suffering the handicap of being in a coma. Razorback (1985) starred a killer boar on the loose, and Wolf Creek (2005) had a psychopath dealing to three annoying backpackers. But none can match the revolting grossness of The Kiwi That Soared, the new 60 Minutes film about Jacinda Ardern.

“At only 13 minutes, the 60 Minutes profile of Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern feels like an eternity. The screaming never stops. In the style of Wolf Creek, Ardern and her partner Clarke Gayford play naive dupes who wander into the lair of a frightening, shambling supervillain — presenter Charles Wooley.’’

Social media users slammed it as “repugnant” and “absolutely cringe-worthy”.

“Commenting on Jacinda Ardern’s level of attractiveness doesn’t seem to be at all relevant to her ability as a nation’s leader,” one Twitter user wrote.

Commenting on @jacindaardern's level of attractiveness, doesn't seem to be at all relevant to her ability as a nation's leader #60Mins

— Emily G (@emily_a_george) February 25, 2018

“Charles Wooley interviewing Jacinda Ardern on 60 Minutes would have to go down as the most patronising interview for a long time,” another added.

Said another: “I assumed #60mins would have a second half of the Jacinda interview after the break that talked about her policies and political achievements. But... nothing. All we got was sexist comments about her looks and baby talk. Ugh. Absolutely shitful journalism ... changes channel.’’

I assumed #60mins would have a second half of the Jacinda interview after the break that talked about her policies and political achievements. But... nothing. All we got was sexist comments about her looks and baby talk. Ugh. Absolutely shitful journalism... *changes channel* 🙄

— Priscilla Sutton (@trisgilla) February 25, 2018

AAP