A group of marauding pirates have ambushed a Labour Party rally in New Plymouth, inviting leader Jacinda "Arrrrrrdern" to join them for a rum.
Jacinda Ardern meets a pirate in New Plymouth. Photo: RNZ / Craig McCulloch
Ms Ardern was speaking to several hundred supporters in the city this afternoon when the rowdy buccaneers - preparing for a pub crawl - passed by.
"Ahoy!" she shouted. "This is a first!"
As her speech drew to an end, the captain and first mate pushed their way to the front of the crowd.
"Excuse me, Ms Ardern. We have a question for you."
The revellers asked what assistance she would offer to their pirate party.
Ms Ardern would not offer any formal support, but quipped, "My name's Jacinda Arrrrrdern."
Seemingly placated by the response, the marauders invited the Labour leader for a drink at a nearby pub.
"Come join us for a rum!"
Ms Ardern politely declined.
The pirates engaged in some politicking of their own. Photo: RNZ / Craig McCulloch
She earlier told the crowd that in many ways her political future had begun in New Plymouth.
"This is where it all started for me."
She said when she was a young woman in Morrinsville, her aunty told the Labour MP for New Plymouth Harry Duynhoven about her interest in politics.
Mr Duynhoven rang and invited her to come to the electorate to volunteer, she said.
"It was the first place I cast a vote and I voted for Helen Clark!" she said.
"It was when Labour took government in 1999 - and we are going to do it again in 2017."
Ms Ardern said her political career began in New Plymouth. Photo: RNZ / Craig McCulloch
