A press gallery camera operator in New Zealand's parliament has apologised after accidentally bashing Education Minister Jan Tinetti in the head with his camera.
Ms Tinetti had to miss Question Time on Wednesday, leaving Prime Minister Chris Hipkins to answer a question for her.
"On her way to the House just now the minister for education was hit on the head by a camera in the lobby and is on her way to seek some medical treatment," Mr Hipkins said, to audible gasps across the house.
Ms Tinetti was ushered out of the chamber by a political rival, deputy opposition leader Nicola Willis, who advised her not to speak in the house while dazed.
She was seen by Labour's informal in-house doctor, Health Minister Ayesha Verrall, who is an infectious diseases physician.
A spokeswoman for Ms Tinetti said the 55-year-old was "sore but she'll be okay" and had taken leave for the day.
Acting press gallery chairman Jason Walls offered an apology on behalf of parliament's media contingent for the accident.
"The camera operator has since apologised in person and in writing," he said.
"The press gallery executive will be reminding members of the expectation to be aware of their surroundings on the tiles to ensure the safety of MPs, staff and other media."
The incident comes after another MP, Prevention of Family and Sexual Violence Minister Marama Davidson, was hurt on the weekend.
She was struck to the ground by a motorcyclist as she prepared to give a speech at a counter-protest for anti-transgender activist Kellie-Jay Keen-Minshull's rally in Auckland.
Shortly after, Ms Davidson was accosted by conspiracy theorist media who asked her to justify her support of the trans community.
As part of her answer, she said, "I know who causes violence in the world, it is white cis (non-trans) men".
Those comments sparked a political bunfight, with Opposition Leader Chris Luxon calling on Ms Davidson to apologise, which she did not, saying she was "still in shock" from her motorcycle hit.
Mr Hipkins stood by Ms Davidson, saying there was "valid sentiment" in her comments, but they were not expressed well - which he attributed to her injury.
