An American presidential hopeful says she'd use her first phone call in the White House to contact Jacinda Ardern and it would start with: 'Girlfriend, you are so on'.
United States Democratic Party nomination contender Marianne Williamson left audiences perplexed after a bizarre take on a pretty standard question during her party's latest television debate.
Standing alongside nine other candidates, Williamson, a self-help author and spiritual guru who has never held office, turned to New Zealand when asked who the first person she'd contact from the Oval Office was.
"My first call is to the Prime Minister of New Zealand, who said that her goal is to make New Zealand the place where it's the best place in the world for a child to grow up," Williamson said.
"I would tell her: 'girlfriend, you are so on', because the United States of America is going to be the best place in the world for a child to grow up."
The response prompted mocking headlines, including in the Washington Post and the Daily Mail and a storm of replies on social media.
Satirical politics show The Daily Show was quick to jump in:
MODERATOR: In one or two words, what would your first act as President be?
— The Daily Show (@TheDailyShow) June 28, 2019
BERNIE: Special interests
KAMALA: Immigration
MARIANNE WILLIAMSON: I was reading a wonderful article in GOOP about New Zealand,
In a performance that included several other unusual highlights, Williamson also went on to say she would also "harness love for political purposes" to win the presidency.
Ardern has long held that one of her goals in Government is to make New Zealand the best place in the world for children.
Take your Radio, Podcasts and Music with you