National leader Christopher Luxon has condemned racism but stopped short of saying anti-Te Reo comments are racist.
The National leader's comments come after he posted a tribute to land rights activist Joe Hawke in Te Reo Māori, which was flooded with criticism.
The post on his Facebook page included a tribute to Hawke in both Te Reo and English.
While there were plenty of positive comments, many others criticised Luxon's decision to use Te Reo.
"Speak english ffs so sick of maori stuff (sic)," one person commented. "Lost my vote chris luxton (sic)," another added.
"Stop talking and pandering to a minority,you just lost my vote! (sic)" someone else said.
When asked by AM's Melissa Chan-Green on Wednesday whether anti-Te Reo comments were racist, Luxon skirted around the question but said he condemns racism in all its forms.
"From my point of view Joe Hawke was a great leader, he made a great contribution to New Zealand and to Māoridom," Luxon said.
"He's someone I respect in terms of how he went about his work and his cause. I thought it was entirely appropriate to acknowledge Joe in Te Reo.
"I am learning Te Reo myself, it's something I have wanted to do for a long time and it's my choice. It doesn't mean everybody else has to do it, but obviously, I haven't seen all the comments but I condemn racism in all its forms so for me I thought it was entirely appropriate to acknowledge Joe in that way."
When Chan-Green asked again whether comments criticising him for speaking Te Reo were racist, Luxon said they were unnecessary and inappropriate.
"Some of them were just abuse at me, to be honest… I think it's not appropriate, it's not necessary."
However, while the post garnered some criticism, the vast majority of commenters were positive, with many praising Luxon for using Te Reo.
"I’m not generally a fan of National, but I applaud and respect you for writing this in both Te Reo Māori and English. As Joe was tangata whenua, it is only appropriate. Kia kaha," someone said.
"Kudos to you Christopher for showing respect to a much respected maori leader like Joe Hawke," another added.
A Ngāti Whātua leader and former Labour MP, Hawke died on May 22 aged 82.
He was laid to rest at Takaparawhau, Bastion Point.
It's the site where Hawke led a landmark 506-day occupation, which ended 44-years-ago after they were evicted by police and the army.
In his tribute, Luxon said Hawke was a "remarkable man" who played a vital role in highlighting injustices against Māori.
"He was a leading figure in the Bastion Point Occupation and stood firmly for his beliefs. He later served a distinguished six years as an MP for the Labour Party and leaves behind an enduring legacy," Luxon said.
"Joe's passing will be felt by a great many. Ngāti Whatua, his whānau and Kiwis right across Aotearoa will miss him dearly. My thoughts are with Joe's whānau and iwi at this time."
New Zealand has three official languages Te Reo, English and NZ sign language.
