Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern's hot mic moment in Parliament has made global headlines with world media shocked by the usually cool, calm and collected leader losing her temper.
Ardern apologised to ACT Leader David Seymour after she called him an "arrogant prick" under her breath.
The moment occurred during Parliament's second-to-last day of the political year when Ardern answered a question from Seymour about how she handles mistakes.
However, Ardern was heard uttering the remark after it was picked up on her microphone.
But she was quick to fix her slip-up, texting Seymour to apologise for the comments quickly after.
The Associated Press said the vulgar language was a "rare misstep" for a leader known for her "skill at debating and calm, measured responses". The Australian Associated Press called the outburst a departure from Ardern's self-described "relentlessly positive" brand of politics.
Meanwhile, the Daily Mail headlined the blunder "Ardern LOSES IT", noting the Prime Minister was caught losing her temper as public support for Ardern tumbled in recent months.
But, as the Guardian wrote, Ardern is just the latest leader to fall victim to a hot microphone.
In January, US President Joe Biden, who appeared to think his microphone was off, called a Fox News reporter a "stupid son of a bitch" for asking a question about inflation. In September, South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol was caught at a UN general assembly saying "how could Biden not lose face if these f***ers do not pass it in Congress?" apparently in reference to Biden’s push to increase the US contribution to the Global Fund to Fight Aids, Tuberculosis and Malaria.
Global media weren't the only ones shocked at the remarks. Kiwi politicians who didn't hear the comment were also taken aback by the un-parliamentary language.
"I am sure she wouldn't use that language," Labour Minister Kiri Allan said.
"That's a shame if that's what she said," National's Nicola Willis said.
"Those are not the words I would use," Labour Minister Carmel Sepuloni said.
Seymour accepted Ardern's apology saying "it's not the end of the world".
