Misogyny appears to have played a key part in the unprecedented vitriol faced by Jacinda Ardern.
New Auckland University research —tracking thousands of hateful posts on the dark corners of the internet in recent years— has found that 93-percent targeted Ardern.
And experts now warn that Ardern is likely to need more ongoing protection than any other former Prime Minister.
Researcher Chris Wilson told Roman Travers that Ardern has been subject to far more threats and hateful messages than other public figures.
He says she became a target for reasons including her overseas popularity, being a left wing PM, and woman in power.
Other public figures were usually targeted when they talked about issues like Covid mandates.
LISTEN ABOVE

Elliott Smith: Newstalk ZB Voice of Rugby on the potential of Tana Umaga joining the All Blacks coaching team
03:10

Ginny Andersen: Labour's Education Spokesperson on the Government offering non-union teachers a pay increase
03:38

David Hadfield: Process Vegetables New Zealand Chair on Wattie's plan to axe the production of frozen vegetables
05:11