Defence Minister Peeni Henare's gym selfie tribute to Tonga has sparked outrage, with one person describing it as "absolutely tasteless and insensitive".
In an Instagram update on Sunday, Henare posted a photo of himself at the gym, along with a message: "Our thoughts are with the whānau in Tonga. We have the team working hard to respond. More on that soon..."
A screenshot from Henare's Instagram post was published to Twitter by Ani O'Brien, who served as a press secretary under former National Party leader Judith Collins.
"This is our Defence Minister. I'm lost for words," she wrote.
The screenshot was then shared several times by critics who accused the Defence Minister of being a "narcissist", "tone deaf", and exercising "appalling" judgement with the selfie.
"Absolutely tasteless and insensitive," one Twitter user wrote.
"Navy support vessels will be delayed leaving NZ for Tonga with much-needed supplies after it was revealed that @PeeniHenare has indeed been skipping leg day," another said.
Henare was also told to "read the room".
The Defence Minister, when asked on Monday if the post was appropriate, told reporters he was sorry if it caused offence. He said he posted it to encourage his more than 3000 followers to watch a 3pm press conference he was to participate in on Sunday.
"I apologise if my picture offended anyone," he said on Monday, standing next to Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern at a press conference in Auckland.
"What was advertised on that picture too was that I encouraged people to tune in to the 3pm which was where the Prime Minister, myself and minister Sio gave more details and more updates on the situation in Tonga."
Henare's controversial tribute to Tonga came after the island nation was hit by a tsunami at the weekend, in the wake of a nearby powerful underwater volcanic eruption.
There have been no reports of deaths, though communication has been limited due to a compromised subsea cable. The Government has been communicating with the New Zealand High Commission in Tonga via satellite link.
The Defence Force has deployed a Royal New Zealand Air Force P-3K Orion aircraft to the region to assess the aftermath of the tsunami. It was unable to depart on Sunday due to ash dispersed by the volcano which caused dangerous flying conditions.
A C-130 Hercules aircraft is set to depart later on Monday, Ardern told reporters. She said it will drop off relief supplies, regardless of the status of Tonga's airport.
The Defence Force is also preparing to send a Navy vessel to deliver supplies to Tonga, with fresh water the most urgent due to ash contamination.
