LISTEN ABOVE AS NEWSTALK ZB POLITICAL REPORTER BARRY SOPER SPEAKS TO ANDREW DICKENS ON THE DEPARTURE OF CLARE CURRAN

The Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has accepted Clare Curran's resignation as a minister.

The under-fire minister becomes the first casualty of the coalition government.

"Clare Curran contacted me last night to confirm her wish to resign as a Minister and I accepted that resignation," said Jacinda Ardern.

"Clare has come to the view the issues currently surrounding her are causing an unacceptable distraction for the Government and immense pressure on her personally.

"I agree with her assessment that resigning is the best course of action for the Government and for her.

Kris Faafoi will become the Minister of Broadcasting, Communications and Digital Media, remaining outside of Cabinet, and Peeni Henare will become the Associate Minister for ACC.

Curran has been under fire again this week after bunglng an answer in Parliament about whether she had used her personal Gmail account for government business.

She was previously in hot water over failing to correctly diary meetings.