New Zealand's government has lost its second minister to scandal this month with the sacking of the Customs Minister over an "incident" with a staff member.
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern on Thursday announced she was removing Meka Whaitiri from office, following an investigation into an exchange Ms Whaitiri allegedly had with one of her employees.
"I no longer have confidence in Meka Whaitiri as a minister," Ms Ardern told reporters in her Wellington office.
Media reports earlier suggested Ms Whaitiri - the Labour Party member for Ikaroa-Rawhiti - had been accused of "manhandling" a newly appointed staff member last month.
The prime minister would not confirm the details of the complaint or a report into the matter, declining to say if there had been a physical altercation.
"While the facts are in dispute, the report says an incident occurred," she said.
"Meka Whaitiri continues to contest details of the incident, but there are elements which are agreed."
Further details could not be divulged because the incident was an employment matter and the privacy of the employee needed to be protected. But a report for the public was being prepared, Ms Ardern said.
Police have said they will not be laying charges over the matter.
Ms Whaitiri - who was a minister outside cabinet and also held several associate ministerial roles - was stood aside in August when the investigation was launched.
She will now remain a member of parliament and the co-chair of the Labour Party Maori caucus.
Her firing comes after Broadcasting Minister Clare Curran resigned two weeks ago, following a series of scandals over undisclosed meetings, as well as questions about her use of a personal email account for government business.
Ms Curran has also stayed on as a local MP.
Opposition National Party leader Simon Bridges on Thursday accused Ms Ardern of being indecisive.
"She refused to sack Clare Curran outright only for more mistruths to emerge and for Ms Curran to stand down herself," he said.
"Now, she's demoted Meka Whaitiri from Cabinet but left her in charge of Labour's powerful Maori caucus - and she's left a trail of unanswered questions."
The announcement comes just days before Ms Ardern departs for New York to speak at the United Nations.
