New Zealand film stars Rhys Darby and Taika Waititi say they both "feel for" Jacinda Ardern as she deals with the country's Omicron outbreak and the anti-mandate protest.
The Prime Minister - as well as MPs and Wellingtonians - dealt with the demonstrators for just over three weeks as they camped out on Parliament's lawn calling for an immediate end to COVID-19 vaccine mandates and the lifting of all restrictions.
They were forced out of Parliament's grounds by police on Wednesday and only a small number remain on the outer perimeter.
Appearing on The Project on Thursday, Darby and Waititi, who are both based overseas, were asked by co-host Jeremy Corbett what their take on New Zealand is at the moment and if we were going to be alright.
"We'll get through it. I feel sorry for Jacinda, she's a legend," Darby said.
"Jacinda's a bloody ledge, man," Waititi agreed.
The anti-mandate protesters took issue with the COVID-19 guidelines Ardern and the Government put in place and some called for her resignation.
But Waititi and Darby say they've got it wrong.
"Those people that don't see it, it's embarrassing, because it's like, if only you knew how many times a day people come up to us and say how much support they have for New Zealand and Jacinda. I just wish they knew," Darby said.
The pair were on The Project to promote their new series Our Flag Means Death, which is about a man who leaves his perfectly normal job and family to become a pirate. Waititi plays the pirate Blackbeard and took the chance to use an appropriate analogy to describe how he feels about Ardern.
"It's hard to think of pirate analogies, [but] it's like captaining a boat where half the crew want to go sailing and the other ones are drilling holes in the bottom. I feel for her."
The pair's new series will be available to watch on Neon from Friday March 4.
Watch their full interview above.
