New Zealand’s prime minister has been caught calling a rival politician an “arrogant prick” during a parliamentary debate.

Labour’s Jacinda Ardern made the comment as she returned to her seat following a series of questions from libertarian ACT leader David Seymour.

Thanks to a hot microphone, the vulgarity was picked up in parliament and entered into the official transcript of the debate.

The name-calling incident was also broadcast on Parliament TV, but missed by most MPs as house speaker Adrian Rurawhe started talking at the same time.

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Ms Ardern’s office said she apologised to Mr Seymour for the remark.

The transcript details that Mr Seymour asked: “Can the prime minister give an example of her making a mistake, apologising for it properly, and fixing it?”

Read more: Sky News