Jacinda Ardern shuts down TV host after awkward question

New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has served a TV host with a lesson in manners after he asked questions about her hair colour on morning television.

Appearing on New Zealand’s The AM Show, the prime minister gave host Ryan Bridge a polite lecture after he asked whether she’d been dying her hair because it was turning grey.

“Why are you dyeing it anyway? Is it going grey or something?” Mr Bridge asked.

“Never … never … never … that's not a polite question to ask anyone, I was about to say a lady – but anyone, actually,” Ms Ardern said, smiling uncomfortably and looking off camera.

After an awkward silence the prime minister recovered her composure and said she had a “little touch-up”, as Mr Bridge attempted to justify his question.

“I only mention the grey hair because you are the prime minster and it does tend to age people, no harm intended, alright?” he said.

Ms Ardern politely smiled and nodded and laughed with the host.

“No, it does, it does, I fully acknowledge that. Yep. Thank you for the reminder,” she said.

The question was asked after Ms Ardern’s partner, Clarke Gayford, tweeted that he had assisted in a home hairdressing job on Sunday.

“Helped dye partner’s hair and gave daughter a haircut with scissors I bought at supermarket for $6. Remarkably both parties still talking to me,” he wrote.

Hairdressers were only reopened on the first day of level two restrictions in New Zealand, with local outlet Stuff reporting salons have been overwhelmed with appointments.

Mr Bridge’s question drew criticism from viewers who have labelled the TV host sexist and rude.

“Questions you never ask a woman include,” one wrote on Twitter.

“What an appalling interview. How do you think it was appropriate to ask the PM about dying her hair?” another person wrote.

Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@yahoonews.com.

You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter and download the Yahoo News app from the App Store or Google Play.