Many of us have been appalled, and some shocked, by the level of hatred, misogyny and threats of violence directed at Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and other women in public life.

Whatever our politics, we see this as unacceptable, and a threat to a vibrant and inclusive democracy.  Women are being, and will be deterred from public leadership because the price that they and their families have to pay in stress and danger is too high.  

Men in public life also suffer from increasing abuse, but at nothing like the same volume and intensity as women.

With the resignation of Jacinda Ardern as Prime Minister and as we head into an election year, we want to say clearly that NZers are better than this.  The voices of hatred and misogyny belong to a small minority who do not represent the values we have as New Zealanders.

We will not allow this behaviour to go unchallenged and we ask everyone, including social media platforms and the media to stand against it.