Ardern auctions parliamentary transcript shame for more cancer | World news

New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern is raising money for a prostate cancer charity by selling a copy of a parliamentary exchange in which she calls the political opposition a “pride tree”.

A bid for a copy of the document, signed by Ardern and the target of the scandal, political rival David Seymour, reached NZ$45,500 (US$29,000) on Friday in an online auction.

The New Zealand president was heard making the insult following a heated exchange between the pair at a parliamentary session on Tuesday.

A speaker caught Ardern’s anger saying “you’re such an arrogant prick” referring to Seymour as she reset her seat after answering a wild question from the MP.

Seymour, leader of the far-right liberal ACT group, appealed to the speaker of New Zealand’s parliament for an apology by Ardern, which meant his comments were entered into the official record, known as Hansard.

Ardern later sent an apology to Seymour, who came up with the idea to join forces to raise money for charity.

“We are delighted that it has such good support,” Seymour told AFP on Friday, with the bid due to close on December 22.

In a Facebook post on Wednesday, Ardern said she had signed the official memorandum with Seymour “in the spirit of good sportsmanship and good cause”.

Seymour said the Prime Minister needed some change.

“I suggest we sign a copy of Hansard and sell it to raise money for foundations and pricks everywhere,” he added.

Seymour said her embarrassment was “insignificant in terms of something that goes on, shocking people because it’s out of character” for Ardern.

He added that he hoped the signed license would go “for a lot of money. It is an unusual event and a good cause”.