Sanna Marin visits Jacinda Ardern: "We meet because we are prime ministers"

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Sanna Marin and Jacinda Ardern in Auckland on Wednesday

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Dave Rowland/Getty Images

It was a first: Finland's Prime Minister Sanna Marin and New Zealand's Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern met face-to-face for the first time.

Marin had traveled to Auckland, among other things she visited a war museum.

A press conference by the two politicians was then scheduled for Wednesday morning.

A reporter spoke up with a, well, unfortunate question.

Addressing Ardern, he told Ardern, many people would wonder if the two politicians would only meet because they are of similar age and sex.

"Or can New Zealanders actually expect more deals between the two countries in the long run?"

Even as the reporter formulated his question, Ardern's laughter stopped and her brow furrowed.

Then, speaking into the microphone, she said, "My first question is, I was wondering if anyone ever asked Barack Obama and John Key if they met because they were the same age." Key was from 2008 to 2016 New Zealand's Prime Minister.

There is of course a higher proportion of men in politics, that's a reality, said Ardern.

But when two women meet, it's not just because of their gender.

Marin also referred to the reporter's comment.

"We meet because we are prime ministers," she said.

She will be accompanied by a business delegation and there are - despite many similarities between the two countries - still many areas in which cooperation could be strengthened.

Ardern is 42 years old and was 37 when she became Prime Minister.

Marin is 37 years old and took over the office of prime minister almost three years ago, dethroning Ardern as the youngest head of government.

Marin ends her three-day trip to New Zealand on Thursday and then flies on to Australia.

There she will meet Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on Friday.

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