The charge is under section 56(1) of the Land Transport Act. An offence under this section is committed where the proportion of the alcohol in the person's breath exceeds 400 mcg of alcohol per litre of breath. Magasiva's breath-alcohol reading was 169 micrograms above the prescribed limit.
Police confirmed the charge sheet was "entered incorrectly recording it as a blood limit rather than a breath limit".
The officer in charge had made a note on Magasiva's file for the prosecutor to amend the charge from blood alcohol to breath alcohol.
The charge sheet provided to the Herald was not amended before Magasiva appeared.
The error is expected to be resolved as soon as possible.
Magasiva is a breakfast host on NZME's Flava radio station.
He is also an actor and is best known for his role as nurse Vinnie Kruse on long-running Kiwi soap Shortland Street.
He appeared briefly before a registrar this morning and did not enter a plea.
He was remanded for two weeks.
Magasiva issued a statement to the Herald after his appearance.
"Firstly I would like to acknowledge the mistake and error in judgement in making the decision to drive under the influence," he said.
"I am so fortunate that no one was injured as a result."
Magasiva said there were "no excuses" for his behaviour.
"I fully own up to my mistake and accept the consequences of my actions.
"I am sincerely sorry for putting my family, especially my daughter and my employers and sponsors in this position.
"I know I have let them down. I am sincerely grateful for their support and thankful they have accepted my apologies."
Magasiva said he was "currently seeking assistance and making every effort to ensure this never happens again".
Shortland Street is made by South Pacific Pictures and its spokeswoman Rachel Keereweer said the company "does not condone Pua's actions".
"But we will be supporting him through the process of dealing with the consequences," she said.
NZME entertainment group director Dean Buchanan was aware of the charge.
"While it was in his personal time and non-work related we do not condone his actions," he said.
He could not comment further.
Magasiva, who recently became engaged to his partner Lizz Sadler in Queenstown, made headlines last year for a different incident involving police.
He was one of four members of the public who heroically pulled a man from a crumpled, burning car wreck, after the vehicle smashed into a tree north of Auckland.
Police praised Magasiva and the other rescuers at the time.
They could not comment on the drink driving charge as it was before the courts.
