Australian MP Christopher Pyne gets New Zealand PM Jacinda Ardern's name wrong

A senior Australian cabinet minister has been caught delivering a series of embarrassing gaffes while appearing on early morning television.

Christopher Pyne, the defence industry minister, was appearing on Nine's The Today Show alongside host Ben Fordham and Labor frontbencher Anthony Albanese this morning for their regular 'Pyne v Albo' segment.

While discussing New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern's visit to Sydney, Pyne mangled the name of the Kiwi leader, reports the Daily Mail.

After stumbling over her first name a couple of times, the Liberal MP called her 'Jessica' Ardern.

Fordham was quick to pick up on Pyne's blunder, and asked the MP if he meant to say 'Jessica'.

Albanese also attempted to correct his Liberal counterpart, but he seemed to be incorrect as well by suggesting her name was 'Jacinta'.

After some bemused looks and laughter from Fordham and Albanese, Pyne corrected himself.

"I'm having one of those mornings," Pyne said, while Albanese said the Liberal MP was "not good in the morning".

It's not the first time Pyne's choice of words has raised questions.

In 2014, he was forced to deny calling Labor leader Bill Shorten a "c**t" during question time.

At the time, Speaker Bronwyn Bishop told Pyne to "refer to the opposition leader by his correct title".