The Prime Minister is doubling down on his defence of Marama Davidson, following her abuse comments.
The Family Violence Prevention Minister is under fire for saying 'white cis men' cause the most violence in the world.
She has since issued a clarification stating she was in shock after being struck by a motorcycle and faced "inflammatory questions".
Chris Hipkins said on Tuesday morning he hadn't spoken to Davidson directly since the comments were made.
"Her office contacted my office when the video began being circulated online to indicate she had not conveyed the message or the sentiment that she had been intending to with those comments," said Hipkins.
"I have accepted that."
Hipkins said she could have faced a more severe punishment had she not clarified her statement when she did.
"I'm sure we would have had a further conversation about it. In the end, the matter was resolved by the clarification."
Though he said she deserves some "leeway" after what appears to be Davidson being struck by a motorcycle rider earlier in the day.
"I do give it some leeway for the fact that she had just been hit by a motorcycle and was probably in a state of shock from having had that happen."
Host Tova O'Brien pointed out that Davidson failed to actually apologise for the comment. She asked the PM if he thought she should.
"I think her comments were wrong," said Hipkins.
"I think if she decided to do that, I'd certainly have no issue with that, it may well be appropriate, but it's not something that I've discussed with her."
He said Davidson's comments were factually incorrect, though said he understood her wider point.
"I don't think ethnicity comes into this at all," said Hipkins.
"I think the broader comment she was making that the majority of violence, domestic, family and sexual violence is conducted by men, is true. And we should be open about that and we should continue to have conversations about it. But I don't think bringing ethnicity into it or sexual orientation into it in that way was legitimate."
"It is legitimate, however, to say that our trans community have often been the victim of that violence. That is also a legitimate point to raise. So within that, within what Marama was trying to convey, I think there were some legitimate things that we should talk about. But the form of words she chose was wrong."
Listen to the full interview between Prime Minister Chris Hipkins and Tova above.
You can also download the full interview on the Tova podcast, and listen on the go. Download the rova app on apple or android to listen to this podcast on the go, or anywhere else you get your podcasts.
