Revenge on Australian broadcaster Alan Jones is "best served through a Bledisloe Cup", Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern says in response to his controversial comments.
Last week, Jones - well known for his inflammatory remarks - said Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison should "shove a sock down [Ardern's] throat" after she called Morrison out over Australia's climate change stance.
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Ardern, who was at the Pacific Island Forum in Tuvalu at the time, earlier said Australia "has to answer to the Pacific", as island nations called for Australia to do more to tackle global warming.
Jones, 78, slammed Ardern for her comments, saying: "I just wonder whether Scott Morrison is going to be fully briefed to shove a sock down her throat."
He added: "She is just a joke this woman, an absolute and utter light-weight... These people are an absolute joke and Jacinda Ardern is the biggest joke."
On The AM Show on Tuesday, Ardern wouldn't respond directly to Jones' comments, saying she didn't need to have an opinion on everything.
"I am a politician, I am open for criticism and of course, we should all be held to account and the idea that any politician could or should be protected, I absolutely rally against that. You should see my social media," she said.
"We sign up for that when we are politicians. I have tried very hard, specifically on this Alan Jones comment, you won't find me having particularly reacted or responded.
"I don't have an opinion on every single person that says something about me, particularly given this is an Australian commentator. We have enough of our own to occupy my time."
Ardern then referenced Jones' stint as the coach of the Australian rugby union team - the Wallabies. He coached the team between 1984 and 1988.
"I understand he used to be closely linked to the Wallabies, so let's just say that revenge is best served through a Bledisloe Cup," Ardern said on Tuesday.
It follows the All Blacks' thrashing of the Wallabies on Saturday. That 36-0 victory for the Kiwi team saw New Zealand retain the Bledisloe Cup - fought over by New Zealand and Australian rugby teams - for the 17th year in a row.
Despite calling Ardern "gormless", Jones said he's written to her to apologise properly.
"Amongst other things I said - I would never wish her any harm and would always wish her the best... I have erred and made a mistake."
But several advertisers on Jones' 2GB radio show have pulled their business.
"The comments made last week by Alan Jones regarding Jacinda Ardern do not represent our views and values," Anytime Fitness Australia said on Facebook.
"For this reason, we pulled out advertising from 2GB last Friday and do not have any further advertising planned with the station."
Jones has also had his contract threatened if he makes similar comments in the future
"Notwithstanding his apologies, I have today [Saturday] discussed the matter with Alan and advised him that any recurrence of commentary of this nature will result in the termination of his contract," Macquarie Media chairman Russell Tate said on Saturday night.
Newshub.
