Late night talk show mocks Jacinda Ardern's awkward Covid moment

US late night talk show host Stephen Colbert has poked fun at an obscure Covid rule in New Zealand, while saying Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern is a "friend" of the show.

Mr Colbert touched on a wide range of topics in his opening monologue on Tuesday, from arrests made as a result of the US Capitol insurrection to a bizarre question Ms Ardern was asked earlier this week.

"Covid is getting better in some places, New Zealand Prime Minister and dear friend of the show Jacinda Ardern announced recently that under the country's Covid guidelines, orgies of 25 people are good to go in New Zealand," Mr Colbert said.

The audience laughed and cheered as Mr Colbert stood on stage with his hands in his pockets.

This week, several news organisations reported that New Zealand was allowing orgies of up to 25 people, however the interview where Ms Ardern speaks about the new rules dates back to December 3.

Speaking with Seven Sharp, host Jeremy Wells asked (for a friend, he insisted) if people in Auckland would be able to get "busy" with others outside of their bubble.

"I can confirm Tinder liaisons are back on," the Prime Minister said.

"It's not strictly embedded in the traffic light system, but it is given – up to 25, actually – in a 'red' area."

While the word 'orgy' wasn't used, the PM gave approval for triple-vaccinated people to participate in Tinder 'liaisons' of up to 25 people in Auckland, which is listed as a 'red' area under the traffic light system the country uses, formally known as Covid-19 Protection Framework.

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The different colours like red and orange signify different levels of restrictions.

The Late Show crowd wooed as the clip of Ms Ardern confirming the orgies were a go-ahead.

"I'm guessing if you have 25 people at your sex party, there's gonna be more than a few red areas," Mr Colbert quipped.

One person said it was "inevitable" Ms Ardern's comments would end up on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert.

"The last item I saw on Colbert about NZ was about the carload of contraband KFC being smuggled into Auckland," one person said in response.

"Americans must have a confused perception of this country."

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