All Blacks veteran Jerome Kaino has joined the list of prominent New Zealanders condemning Heather du Plessis-Allan's comments on the Pacific.
The Super Rugby star took to Instagram to express his distaste, linking to an article about the Newstalk ZB host's comments and saying: "F**k outta here!!"
It comes after All Blacks star Sonny Bill Williams also took aim at Ms du Plessis-Allan, saying: "It's disheartening to see that in 2018 we're still dealing with people in the media who think it's okay to make such bigoted remarks."
- Veteran Jerome Kaino leaves All Blacks jersey in good hands
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Ms du Plessis-Allan's was discussing Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern's visit to Nauru last week when she said the Pacific Islands "don't matter".
"They are nothing but leeches on us. The Pacific Islands want money from us," she said, also calling Nauru a "hellhole".
New Zealand actor Sam Neill said on Twitter: "How far can you take offensiveness and utter stupidity?"
He joined the likes of Michelle A'Court, Oscar Kightley and Tim Lambourne in denouncing her choice of words.
Samoan-born actor Mr Kightley demanded an apology for "our Pasifika neighbours", while comedian Ms A'Court wondered how Ms du Plessis-Allan wore headphones over her "pith helmet".
Last week Ms du Plessis-Allan defended her comments, saying she had not "dehumanised" anyone, and was only referring to government bodies that run the Pacific islands.
"I will double down on this," she said on-air. "I do not regret what I said, because I was not talking about people living in this country or the people themselves."
Some listeners lodged formal complaints with Newstalk ZB, and petitions have called for Ms du Plessis-Allan to step down from her hosting role.
Newshub.
