The Prime Minister has not directly communicated with Green Party co-leader Marama Davidson since the controversial comments she made about "white cis men" causing violence.
Chris Hipkins said the Prevention of Family of Sexual Violence Minister's comments on the weekend weren't appropriate. However, he said it was important to put them into context.
The Opposition has called for Davidson to quit her ministerial portfolio after video emerged of her at the weekend's chaotic Posie Parker rally saying it was "white cis men" who caused violence in the world.
Davidson later walked back the remarks, saying they were "not as clear" as they should have been.
She said she made the comments not long after being hit by a motorbike and was still in shock.
AM host Melissa Chan-Green asked Hipkins on Tuesday if he'd spoken with Davidson since the comments were made.
"No, haven't spoken to her directly," he replied.
"Her office contacted my office yesterday... and the clarification statement that she issued fairly quickly thereafter was, as far as I'm concerned, is a satisfactory resolution to the matter. She clarified that what she had said was not what she had intended and I've accepted that."
ACT leader David Seymour told Newstalk ZB Davidson would've been sacked if he was Prime Minister.
Former Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters has also called for Davidson to stand down. The New Zealand First leader said the Prime Minister needed to uphold higher standards.
"New Zealanders neither want nor deserve to be looked upon and insulted by our so called 'representatives' in this way," Peters said in a statement.
While Hipkins didn't think Davidson's comments were appropriate, he told AM her underlying message raised a fair point for debate.
"Underneath it all, there is a legitimate message about the fact that men are, predominantly, the perpertrators of violence - whether it's sexual violence or family and domestic violence," Hipkins said.
"That's a legitimate debate to have - that's not the sentiment that she conveyed. I think she has acknowledged that and subsequently clarified what she was intending to say."
But Seymour questioned how Davidson could be an effective minister while making such comments.
"Her outburst would be a firing offence in most governments," he said.
"New Zealanders deserve better from their representatives. Davidson should front up with evidence for her statement or resign."
