An online broadcast of the Prime Minister's speech took live streaming to a whole new level, after a reporter who left their mic on treated viewers to a stream of his own.



Needing quick relief after John Key's half-hour speech, 3 News Political Editor Patrick Gower had quick conversation with Key's staff before heading to bathroom.



How do we know this?



Unfortunately, what was supposed to be a private moment ended with the unmistakable sound of water hitting porcelain - a live stream within a livestream.



Gower had left his mic on - a mistake which, evidently, happens to the best of them.



Conceding he committed the loo blue, Gower has dubbed the incident "leakgate", and said "it could have been lot worse".



"I've been involved in a lot of leaks in my time, but this is the first time it actually involved me taking one.



"I was caught short, I admit that but I will say this: It could have been a hell of lot worse."



He offered his apologies to anyone who might have been affected by leakgate.



Gower is closing the door on the possibility of a ministerial inquiry.



"I blame technical difficulties that were beyond my control," he said.



"I am responsible but not to blame. For that reason, I have decided against a high-powered and wide-ranging inquiry."