The head of the country's biggest employers' group has had to apologise after suggesting some women are paid less than men because they regularly take time off because of their periods.
Employers and Manufacturers Association Northern chief executive Alasdair Thompson says in general, women take more sick days because once a month they have what he called sick problems, and because they have children to look after.
Mr Thompson told Checkpoint he has evidence that women do take more time off than men and menstruation could contribute to a reason why.
He went on to say he does not like saying these things because it makes him sound sexist, and apologised from his "heart" to women and men who took offence.
Mr Thompson says his organisation promotes equal pay for equal work and two of the top-paid people who work for it are women.
Call to resign
Council of Trade Unions president Helen Kelly says the comments are outrageous and some women will be feeling insulted.
She says Mr Thompson should reconsider his position at the association.
Labour Minister Kate Wilkinson says Mr Thompson appears to have had a brain explosion when making the comments.
She would not go as far as saying he needs to be sacked but she says he needs a good telling off.
Women's Affairs Minister Hekia Parata says the comments are untrue, and have left an impression that women are unproductive.
Ms Parata says the comments are very unhelpful when the Government is trying to lift productivity.
