Prime Minister John Key is to apologise to a Pike River widow whose deceased husband was accidentally sent a Christmas card from him.
Former Grey District councillor and Pike River coalmine contractor Milton Osborne, was among 29 men killed at the mine on 19 November last year.
Mr Osborne's name was on a database of mayors and councillors that was used for Mr Key's Christmas card recipents.
A spokesman for the prime minister says the list is co-ordinated with Local Government New Zealand at the beginning of each council's term of office. Mr Osborne's name has now been removed from the list.
He says Mr Key regrets the error and any distress it may have caused Mr Osborne's widow, Anna Osborne.
Mr Key intends to phone Mrs Osborne to extend his apologies personally.
