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NZ Prime Minister's fall from grace

Published: Thursday, 30 October 2008, 2:08PM

New Zealand's Prime Minister Helen Clark is tumbling in the polls, and also in the malls.

Ms Clark visited the Riccarton shopping centre in Christchurch for a campaign trail meet-and-greet ahead of elections on November 8.

But when her foot caught a chair, she went flying.

Ms Clark lay sprawled on the ground for a couple of seconds before she was hoisted back to her feet by security officials and government aides.

She swiftly continued her duties, greeting staff and the shopping centre as if nothing had happened.

Ms Clark's Labour-led government has been in power since November, 1999. She was the first female prime minister to be elected to the job and is the longest-serving leader of the party.

© Independent Television News Limited 2008. All rights reserved.