Hamilton city councillor James Casson was due to meet with Waikato Muslim Association president Dr Asad Mohsin and other Muslim community members today to apologise for offence caused by his recent social media comments.
His apology comes after Hamilton mayor Andrew King emphasised the need for respect and understanding after a social media post by Casson sparked complaints on the weekend.
The post, in relation to the way New Zealand was responding to the Christchurch terror attacks, drew a storm of criticism. In the offending Facebook post, he criticised the
Government's speedy ban on semi-automatic firearms, the ban on possessing copies of the alleged gunman's manifesto and a widespread bid to avoid use of his name.
"He wanted his time in the light, he wanted a reaction and he has it in spades," Casson said.