Controversial cartoonist Garrick Tremain has apologised for his cartoon making light of the Samoan measles epidemic.
In a post on his website, he apologised to those offended by his work.
"The cartoon should not have been put forward for publication and I acknowledge the lack of judgment on my part".
The cartoon, published in the Otago Daily Times showed two women coming out of a travel agency.
The caption reads "I asked 'what are the least popular spots at the moment?' She said 'the ones people are picking up in Samoa."
In an interview with RNZ on Wednesday morning, Tremain refused to apologise, calling the cartoon "a simple light-hearted joke".
"In this politically correct atmosphere that we're being suffocated by you have to be aware that there is a growing number of people who wake up in the morning and their first intention is to find something to be offended about."
The cartoon drew wide-spread criticism on social media. Even his ODT co-workers were horrified the cartoon was published.
Long time staff member Chris Morris weighed in on the controversy, saying Tremain does not reflect their newsroom.
The ODT issued it's own apology on Tuesday, but many people are calling for Tremain to be fired.
