A column written by sports broadcaster Tony Veitch regarding his assault on then girlfriend Kristin Dunne-Powell in 2006 was published by his employer NZME on Sunday.
Since then, the father of Ms Dunne-Powell has responded.
In Mr Veitch's column, he writes "even though it was the only time that I have ever lashed out in my life, once was too much. I should have walked away, but instead I hurt someone and I can't ever make that go away."
"I live with what I did every day and as a result of my role in media, I live with it everywhere."
But Steve Dunne responded in a statement published by Fairfax Media this morning, saying "in the 10 years since Tony Veitch broke my daughter's back; she has rebuilt her life completely".
Mr Dunne says although the family are "immensely proud of her resilience", "I wish she was not forever more connected to this man."
Mr Veitch's apology article, released on Mother's Day, was a public one.
"I have witnessed her pain again today, on what should be a special day for her and our family.
"So, as Tony puts our case back into the public arena, our family question what do we do?" Mr Dunne asks, before saying Veitch's own article says not to stay silent.
"The New Zealand Herald allowing Mr Veitch's self-serving propaganda (again) astounds us."
Mr Dunne says if his apology was genuine, it would have been given privately.
White Ribbon campaign manager Rob McCann told Fairfax Media Mr Veitch's column read like it was written to protect his own image.
"It's great that he's apologised, but from an outsider's point of view it looks like a PR apology. It looks like the apology you make when you're not really apologising for the things you've done."
Chief executive of Women’s Refuge Dr Ang Jury says while the organisation is "pleased and excited" the New Zealand Herald was starting a series surrounding domestic violence issues, Mr Veitch’s column wasn’t appropriate.
"His column, while on the surface appearing to be taking responsibility for his actions, was in reality the same self-serving and self-promoting rhetoric he’s trotted out previously," says Dr Jury.
She says one instance, is never one instance.
"Being 'caught' for one instance is minimising the crescendo of psychological, verbal and emotional violence that inevitably play a part in the domestic violence 'package' experimented by so many women across our country each and every day."
Newshub.
