Chelsea Handler has praised Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern for "setting a good example" ahead of her visit to Auckland next week.
The American comedian, author and activist spoke of Ardern's "common sense" decision to implement stricter gun control legislation in the wake of the Christchurch mosque attacks in March.
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"I'll be in Australia and New Zealand next week for my 'Life Will Be the Death of Me' stand-up tour. I'm so happy to be going to... the two places that had one mass shooting and fixed the problem immediately," Handler tweeted over the weekend.
Ahead of her stand-up show at Auckland's Town Hall on October 9, Handler, an outspoken critic of the Trump administration, told TimeOut that Ardern is "setting a good example".
"It's too bad we don't have anybody in our country who is willing to listen to it," the 44-year-old TV personality told the outlet.
Handler expressed a belief that other world leaders, particularly US President Donald Trump, should be following the New Zealand Government's lead in prohibiting military-style semi-automatic weapons.
"It's so senseless, our gun laws in America."
"It's just so depressing every single day... I like travelling and getting the hell out of this country," Handler told TimeOut.
Handler's new documentary, Hello Privilege, It's Me, Chelsea, was released on Netflix in September. The hour-long feature explores the concept of white privilege in American culture and how it has benefitted her life and career.
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