Live updates: Real Housewives of Auckland racism stoush

The Real Housewives of Auckland on their trip to Port Douglas. Photo/ Bravo's Facebook page

Live:

9.30pm: The episode finishes on Michelle and Julia talking over lunch.

Julia: "It's such a good thing to be able to forgive"

Michelle: "I didn't say I forgave you"

I love you, Michelle #RHOAKL

— Ida (@_idarima) September 20, 2016

9.30pm:

It's real cool that Michelle is so strong about this. Tbh I really admire her. #RHOAKL

— Renee Church (@Reneethe60s) September 20, 2016

9.28pm:

Julia: I’m not going to dig myself into a hole
Also Julia: *digs herself the biggest hole she could* #RHOAKL

— josh 🔮 (@joshwlkr) September 20, 2016

9.28pm:

"Something I would have said to anybody" Julia!!!! No! No! No!!!!!! #RHOAKL

— ɥsɐu ♥ ɐpuıʃǝq ⏳ (@belindanash) September 20, 2016

9.24pm: Social media remains unimpressed with Julia's attitude after her use of the racist slur.

"What I said was...was not right". No, Julia. It was racist. The word you're looking for and won't say is racist. #RHOAKL

— Ida (@_idarima) September 20, 2016

But like..... why is this all about Julia's feelings. Are we meant to feel bad for her or.....m #rhoakl

— Stephii Onassiss (@Stephii_O) September 20, 2016

9.16pm:

#rhoakl when fake tan goes bad.. we all needed that laugh

— Jane Clayton (@jmctv) September 20, 2016

Spray tan 101: don't wear a white bikini straight after #RHOAKL @BravoNewZealand

— Rob Sykes (he/him) (@robiliciousnz) September 20, 2016

9.13pm:

9.11pm:

"What about poor Michelle? What about worrying about how Michelle's feeling about it? Think about her" Anne redeems herself. Finally #RHOAKL

— Ida (@_idarima) September 20, 2016

THANK YOU ANNE #RHOAKL pic.twitter.com/jkHBGOeYEo

— Kate Normand (@growfoodandread) September 20, 2016

9.06pm:

"She's the most amazing best friend you could ever have. I'm getting choked up, she's so fantastic" Michelle describes Gilda #RHOAKL

— Ida (@_idarima) September 20, 2016

9.05pm: Plenty on Twitter shared their fondness for the friendship between Michelle and Gilda.

Friendship Goals = @Strange_G and Michelle ❤️ #RHOAKL

— Emma Wong (@emmawnow) September 20, 2016

9.03pm:

8.55pm: While Gilda and Michelle stayed behind as the others boarded a private helicopter, people questioned whether the right decision had been made about the trip.

Did the rest of them not think about how Michelle and Gilda feel being left behind while they gallivant around in helicopters? #RHOAKL

— josh 🔮 (@joshwlkr) September 20, 2016

Omg wtf is happening. Exclude Julia. Invite the others
There is clearly someone in the wrong here and it is her.#rhoakl

— Stephii Onassiss (@Stephii_O) September 20, 2016

8.51pm: Social media users express their sympathy for Michelle in the situation.

Possibly the best outcome this episode of #rhoakl, is that the impact of racism is seen by so many, & so vividly, in Michelle's reaction.

— Kirsten McKenzie (@Kiwimrsmac) September 20, 2016

"My eyes actually watered, hearing the hurt and anger cracking Michelle's voice really f***ing hits you in the heart," Tweeted Lucy Zee.

8.49pm: Fellow Real Housewife Louise Wallace says a white person calling a black person the n-word is "unacceptable" in any circumstance.

8.48pm: The show reopens on Sloane saying she "feels sick" that she has caused such offence.

8.47pm: Fan favourite Gilda received support from several twitter users.

Everyone needs a friend like Gilda. ❤️ #RHOAKL

— Maria (@FireCracker202) September 20, 2016

8.44pm: As the show went to its first ad break, social media users shared uniform shock over Sloane's use of the n-word and seemed unimpressed with her explanations and apology.

Also makes me wonder what words slip out in casual conversation when she's amongst friends, not on television.. #rhoakl #realpod

— Eilish (@eilishsio) September 20, 2016

8.44pm:

8.43pm:

8.41pm: Twitter users react to the show launching straight into the incident.

8.39pm: Blanchard says she has never been called 'that word" in her entire life.

8.30pm:

A statement from Bravo New Zealand, in relation to Episode 6 of #RHOAKL; https://t.co/lDRGCJqWxJ

— Bravo New Zealand (@BravoNewZealand) September 20, 2016

8.30pm: Tonight's episode of Real Housewives of Auckland features the shocking use of a racial slur against one of the cast members.

Earlier

During a boozy filming session on a luxury boat trip in Queensland, Real Housewife Julia Sloane refers to fellow cast member Michelle Blanchard as a "boat n*****". Blanchard is of English and Jamaican descent.

The fallout from the comment, which Sloane attempted to explain was "an old boating term", dominates the rest of the sixth episode of the reality TV show.

The slur was made after fellow housewife Gilda Kirkpatrick asked Blanchard for a hand-up from below decks, prompting Sloane to comment: "She's not your boat n*****.

After the use of the slur was revealed in the Herald on Sunday both Sloane's husband, Michael Lorimer, and Blanchard have spoken to media about the incident.

In an interview with The Spinoff, Blanchard said Sloane "just doesn't want to own what has come out of her mouth".

Lorimer said his wife took full responsibility for her "foolish racial slur". She had apologised four times to Blanchard and felt deeply remorseful.