First term Labour MP Greg O'Connor says he "got it wrong" when he questioned the Prime Minister's handling of the Clare Curran resignation on radio.
Mr O'Connor said Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern "could have done better" in her handling of Ms Curran's resignation on radio on Monday morning. "I don't think anyone will disagree with that", he said at the time.
But on Tuesday morning, Mr O'Connor was apologetic. He told media he "got it wrong" about half a dozen times before the Labour caucus met.
"I got it wrong - my understanding of the events - it was wrong. I've spoken with the Prime Minister, or she's spoken with me, and I know what was right," Mr O'Connor said.
"I got it wrong. When you do these long-ranging interviews you cover a lot of topics, and on that particular one I got it wrong, and the Prime Minister and I have spoken, and I'm well aware I got it wrong."
He said he had a long conversation with the Prime Minister, in which he was told off.
"It would be fair to say that the Prime Minister wasn't happy. I wouldn't be happy either, so yes, I got a telling off," Mr O'Connor said.
Ms Curran resigned as a Minister after a series of mini scandals over private meetings and struggling to answer questions about the use of a Gmail account for ministerial emails. Ms Curran said the pressure she was under had become intolerable.
Ms Ardern said on Tuesday morning Mr O'Connor "unreservedly" apologised after he "said something he shouldn't have".
She said his feedback should have been directed to her, rather than aired on radio.
"I accept feedback... but it should be direct."
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