New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has been caught calling a rival politician an ‘arrogant p***k’ during a parliamentary debate.
The Labour politician was caught making the comment on a hot microphone as she returned to her seat after questions from libertarian ACT leader David Seymour.
The comment was picked up by the mic and entered into the official transcript of the debate.
The incident was also broadcast live on Parliament TV.
Mr Seymour later confirmed to reporters that Ms Ardern had apologised to him in a text message.
“Jacinda Ardern text me and said, 'I apologise. It's not something I should have said,'” he said.
“And she said, 'As my mum would say, if you don't have anything nice to say, don't say it at all.' I agree with the sentiment, and it's all good as far as I'm concerned.”
Ms Ardern's office said she apologised to Mr Seymour for the remark.
