Henare doesn't need to apologise for calling me a jerk-off: Hide

Photo / Dean Purcell

ACT leader Rodney Hide says he doesn't need National backbencher Tau Henare to apologise for calling him a buffoon and a jerk-off.

Which is just as well because Mr Henare has no plans to say sorry.

Mr Henare expressed today his disapproval of Mr Hide's threat to resign as Local Government Minister if the Government approved separate Maori seats on a new Auckland super city council. The Government ruled it out yesterday.

He said Mr Hide had "played it silly" before adding that he was a "buffoon" and a "jerk-off."

This afternoon Mr Henare was not backing down.

He ruled out apologising even if Mr Hide was offended: "Poor Rodney, tell him to get over it," he told reporters.

Prime Minister John Key said he was not going to ask Mr Henare to say sorry.

"We all know Tau. From time to time he uses some colourful language but the relationship between the two leaders, myself and Rodney Hide, is very strong and we just park it as a minor backbench issue."

He described the remarks as "unhelpful".

Mr Hide said he was not seeking an apology.

"I am not going to dignify those comments with any response. I've got a good working relationship with National and that will continue."

He said Mr Henare was a fun person.

"He's a guy that you don't die wondering what he thinks and he let's you know."

- NZPA