A Hamilton City Councillor who's been in the spotlight for a Facebook post criticising the country’s response to terrorist attack on two Christchurch mosque has apologised to his colleagues and senior leadership at the council.
James Casson's post on Facebook said that whenever a memorial is held, the attacker wins.
A post from 2016 has also come to light, in which Mr Casson called for retribution and violence to rid Europe of Middle Eastern refugees.
Hamilton City Mayor Andrew King told 1 NEWS that when Mr Casson apologised today, he claimed his comments had been misunderstood.
Mr King says he was disappointed the apology came with justification.
Other councillors have expressed the same feeling.
David Macpherson tweeted: "Just heard an 'apology’' from James Casson, which was no apology at all - all about how his statements have been 'misconstrued'.
"I have to say that it was a widespread feeling among Councillors who heard the Casson 'apology' this morning, that it was actually no apology at all; but rather an 'I am' statement - all about James."
Councillor Geoff Taylor also told 1 NEWS, it was "not an apology at all but more a self justification, suggesting his views had been misinterpreted and this was basically everyone’s fault but his.
"It showed me that James hasn’t actually learnt anything from this at all, this was his chance to try to make some sort of atonement and he failed," Mr Taylor said.
Mr Casson has not responded to 1 NEWS’ requests for comment.
No formal action has been taken against the councillor, who also works for Immigration New Zealand.
Mayor Andrew King said he has not broken the council's code of conduct and he cannot be censured.
Immigration New Zealand said it's "reviewing the all the circumstances but as this is an employment matter can make no further comment".
Mr King said he cannot strongly enough condemn the comments made by Mr Casson.
He added the councillor has a track record of not supporting initiatives involving ethnic groups.
There have been at least 15 complaints made about Mr Casson, in response to the social media comments.
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