The pay freeze debate: 'Crisis' meetings, the Prime Minister steps in as Govt and unions in showdown 14 May, 2021 05:00 PM 12 minutes to read Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern responded to questions about the public backlash to last week's wage freeze announcement. Video / Mark Mitchell Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern responded to questions about the public backlash to last week's wage freeze announcement. Video / Mark Mitchell As journalists headed to a government announcement on pay in the public sector, they walked past Cahill standing at the Beehive reception Cahill was heading in for his regular meeting with Police Minister Poto Williams before going to Police National Headquarters for negotiations on the police pay round.