Te Pāti Māori co-leader Debbie Ngarewa-Packer has been ejected from Parliament after using the c-word.
NZ First MP Casey Costello alleged the word referred to Assistant Speaker Maureen Pugh.
MPs were debating the Government’s proposed police "move-on orders" for rough sleepers under urgency.
Ngarewa-Packer admitted to using the word, but told 1News it had been a comment to fellow MP Oriini Kaipara, who had earlier used the word "bullcrap" in a speech.
Pugh replied: "A reminder, member, that we prefer to keep the language parliamentary."
As Greens MP Julie Anne Genter began a speech, Costello raised a point a point of order.
"As the Speaker gave a direction, the Māori Party member then used he word – which I will not use – that begins with c," Costello said.
"The fact that it has been used once in this House does not make it common use. I find it particularly offensive and disrespectful to you, Madam Speaker."
Costello said the word had been "directed at you, Madam Speaker".
Ngarewa-Packer then raised her own point of order.
"Three times, the word c*** has been used in this House, by the Government..." Ngarewa-Packer said. "Either that word is offensive or bullcrap is."
Pugh repeatedly called for Ngarewa-Packer to sit down.
"And now I personally find that offensive and Ill ask the member to leave the chamber," she said.
"Are you now going to challenge my ruling? I'm not going to entertain a conversation on this, the member will leave the Chamber."
Labour's Willie Jackson was also assisted from the Chamber after raising an objection.
'Misrepresented the facts'
Outside the Chamber, Ngarewa-Packer told 1News she had never called the Speaker the c-word and "I have no need to".
Ngarewa-Packer said she was having a conversation with Kaipara while Costello was "overhearing a conversation that wasn't intended for her".
"When she got bailed up for the word 'bullcrap', I was actually just making her know that it was not the most un-Parliamentary word that has been said," she said, adding that that she believed the Speaker had "overreacted" to Kaipara.
She continued: "I would not call the Speaker that and have no need to.
"I think Casey [Costello] misrepresented the facts."
In May last year, Workplace Relations Minister Brooke van Velden became the first MP to use the word c*** in the House.
Van Velden uttered it after former minister for women Jan Tinetti asked about a controversial opinion column in relation to the Government's changes to the pay equity process.
Speaker Gerry Brownlee did not interrupt or sanction van Velden but offered some advice for future conduct in the House.
"Let me make it as clear as I can, while the minister was giving an answer that was quoting commentary from a news article, it may have been better to refrain from one word that was fully expressed."
SHARE ME