New Zealand's Prime Minister says it is very unfortunate remarks made by presenter Paul Henry have sparked an international diplomatic incident, but he is not planning to apologise to the Indian government personally.
India says Henry deliberately mispronounced and ridiculed the surname of Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit during Television New Zealand's Breakfast programme last week. He erupted into fits of laughter every time he made remarks about her name.
New Zealand High Commissioner Richard Holborow was called in by the Indian foreign ministry and handed a demarche, or formal protest, on Thursday.
"It was conveyed to him that the government strongly and unequivocally denounces the racist remarks of the journalist in question. These remarks are totally unacceptable to India," a statement from the foreign ministry said.
In a statement, Mr Holborow says he expressed "deep regret" at the comments which were "culturally insensitive, inappropriate and vulgar".
Prime Minister John Key says the apology from Mr Holborow is made on behalf of the Government and is therefore sufficient.
Mr Key says New Zealand has a very important relationship with India and does not want that compromised by Henry's inappropriate comments.
The main Opposition party criticised Mr Key on Friday, saying his response to the issue has been weak.
Labour leader Phil Goff says the party believes Henry's comments are offensive and unacceptable and the Prime Minister had the opportunity to be strong and unequivocal and kill an issue that has caused great offence, but has not done this.
However, Foreign Affairs Minister Murray McCully says he will contact the Indian government over the matter, saying Henry's comments are gratuitous and insulting.
Mr McCully says he will indicate to the government that the comments were from one person made in a country where freedom of speech is a foundation principle.
He says it is always regrettable when a prominent individual abuses freedom of expression, but any action against Henry is a matter entirely for his employer TVNZ or the Broadcasting Standards Authority.
Henry suspended for other comments
State broadcaster TVNZ has suspended Henry without pay from the programme, not for the comments about Ms Dikshit, but for remarks he made earlier this week about New Zealand's Governor-General.
During an interview on Monday's programme, Henry asked the Prime Minister if Sir Anand Satyanand is even a New Zealander.
When John Key replied that he is, Henry asked: "Are we going to go for someone who's more like a New Zealander this time?"
Sir Anand Satyanand was born in Auckland. Henry has since offered an unreserved apology for causing any offence or hurt.
Green Party MP Keith Locke says TVNZ needs to consider whether Henry should be taken off air for much longer than his 13-day suspension in light of the international scandal.
But TVNZ says the suspension is a significant measure and is unprecedented in recent broadcasting history.
Supermarket group to watch advertising
One of New Zealand's largest supermarket groups says it will closely monitor its advertising on TVNZ as a result of Henry's comments.
Progressive Enterprises owns the Countdown, Foodtown and Woolworths chains and says like many New Zealanders, it felt offended over his comments about the Governor-General.
The company has a sponsorship agreement with TVNZ for the Master Chef series and says its advertising will continue in the meantime, but will closely watch the issue and placement of its commercials.
