'Methinks he doth protest too much'

David Rankin. Photo /NZ Herald

Actor Rawiri Paratene has taken a Shakespearian turn to defend his daughter, who has been caught up in a public spat after she insulted a Ngapuhi man.

Human Rights Commission adviser Marama Davidson is under investigation for the second time in weeks after she apologised and then retracted her apology to David Rankin, an outspoken critic of the recent hikoi to Parliament, whom she called a "pokokohua," in an online forum.

The slur likens a person's head to one that has been chopped off and put in a pot to boil - one of the worst insults in te reo.

Mr Rankin fired back, saying "arseholes" who insulted him on Facebook would be dealt with.

Paratene, who starred alongside Oscar-nominated Keisha Castle-Hughes in Whale Rider, has worked in theatre and television as well as writing and directing.

In a letter to the Herald, he said his daughter "Player # 1" had spoken in a moment of passion fired by her support of the hikoi.

But "Player #2", Mr Rankin, by taking the matter public, had seized an opportunity to grandstand so as to "enjoy the meagre limelight that comes of it".

Paratene said he had stood in the wings and watched the small drama play out but felt as "Player #3" he needed to send his own message to Mr Rankin.

"You sir have bandied hurtful words too: hurtful to my daughter, her fellow protesters, her employers, her work colleagues, her mother, her siblings, her husband, her children, her family elders, her wider family and me.

"I do not expect an apology from you because your behaviour thus far tells me that you simply are not the apologising kind."

Paratene reckons Mr Rankin's prominence in the media is likely to be shortlived. He quotes the bard to sum up his feelings.

"Thou art a most notable coward, an infinite and endless liar, an hourly promise breaker, the owner of not one good quality! This comes from the play aptly titled All's Well That Ends Well. I know it has for my daughter. As for you..."

He ends the letter with a set of stage directions.

"Exit Player #3 with his daughter, leaving Player #2 to strut and crow as much as he desires ..."

In response, Mr Rankin said "this wasn't Hollywood".

"We know how actors are. They [Paratene and Ms Davidson] have got a bit carried away with themselves. They keep aggravating the situation."