Jacinda Ardern's decision to continue in her role as Prime Minister after just giving birth to her daughter Neve has been challenged by alt-right Canadian personality Stefan Molyneux.
Reflecting on his experience as a stay-at-home dad, Mr Molyneux told TVNZ Ms Ardern "will be less of a good mother" as she balances the roles of parent and head of government.
Mr Molyneux, who believes some races have lower IQs than others and that women are to blame for violent men, was scheduled to speak in Auckland last Friday at The Powerstation with alt-right provocateur Lauren Southern.
However, a backlash convinced the venue's operators to cancel the show at the last minute.
- Poll: Who should lead the National Party?
- Powerstation vandalised after cancelling Lauren Southern and Stefan Molyneux event
- Explainer: What do far-right Canadian speakers Stefan Molyneux and Lauren Southern believe?
Following the event's cancellation, Mr Molyneux and Ms Southern have been speaking to New Zealand media, sharing their controversial alt-right views with the public.
Mr Molyneux told TVNZ the Prime Minister "simply can't do both jobs". He said Ms Ardern's inability to breastfeed her daughter when needed would compromise her role as a mother.
"For instance, breastfeeding is recommended for 18 months. More breastfeeding leads to higher intelligence, better parent-child bond and so on," he said, adding that the roles of Prime Minister and mother were "incompatible".
Nevertheless, Ms Ardern ranks highly among Kiwis in preferred Prime Minister polls. Simon Bridges was chosen leader of the National Party a little over five months ago, but he's struggled against Ms Ardern's popularity.
While Ms Ardern has admitted it will be a unique challenge taking on the roles of both Prime Minister and mum, her partner, Clarke Gayford, will be a stay-at-home dad.
Mr Molyneux and Ms Southern have lashed out at New Zealand since their event was cancelled. In a tweet, Ms Southern accused Ms Ardern of "virtue signalling nonsense" after the Prime Minister said New Zealand isn't hostile to free speech, but rather hostile to the Canadian pair's views.
Mr Molyneux also claims he was "stopped and harassed" by airport security for "no apparent reason" while leaving New Zealand. In a tweet he said: "Stay classy New Zealand!"
But one Twitter user was quick to point out that random security checks happen all the time, and that it's not a personal attack.
"It's just what it feels like to be treated like a normal person," the tweet by Conan McKegg said.
Newshub.
