New Zealand's Ardern Keeps Going as Earthquake Disrupts Live Event.

New Zealand's Ardern Keeps Going as Earthquake Disrupts Live Event.

️ New Zealand's Prime Minister, Jacinda Ardern, paused briefly as an earthquake rattled the capital Wellington Friday while she was addressing the nation in a coronavirus briefing, but she then continued speaking.

Wellington and nearby areas were shaken by a 5.9 magnitude earthquake with the epicenter 35 kilometers (21.75 miles) southwest of Taumarunui in central North Island, according to Geonet. While the temblor was felt widely, there were no reports of damage or injuries.

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.

(REUTERS)

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