Specialist fire service units have been called to New Zealand's parliamentary precinct on Monday morning after the discovery of the package, which was sent to Ms Ardern.

The item was picked up in the mail room of level eight of the Beehive, the executive wing of the country's parliament buildings.

Ms Ardern was at work on level nine, ahead of chairing a lunchtime cabinet meeting on level 10.

Three units, including a hazardous material truck, were stationed at the back of parliament to deal with the security scare.

Australian Associated Press