A SkyCity worker reprimanded for carrying a pocket-size Bible has apologised, saying she did not mean to cause offence.
Unite Union claims tower host Tuni Parata was threatened with instant dismissal when management found out the employee of 16 years was carrying a wallet-sized copy of the New Testament hidden in the pocket of her uniform.
An emotional Parata told ONE News the Bible gives her strength to take on the challenges she faces at work.
"Reading the Bible is for myself, to encourage myself, to inspire me while I'm at work," said Parata.
"It's not meant to offend anyone at all."
She said SkyCity management were informed about the Bible by a cleaning supervisor who discovered the Bible on a vanity while Parata was in the bathroom.
Under SkyCity guidelines, employees in customer service roles are in breach of uniform standards if they carry items such as personal mobile phones, books and other items which might interfere with their "full engagement with their customers".
But Parata insists she has never read her Bible in front of customers in the 16 years she has worked for the casino-giant nor has she spoken to customers about her faith.
"Management termed it 'unrelated work material' but in my faith he's everything.
"It may sound offensive to them that I have something ahead of them but in my faith it's God first, family then everything after," said Parata.
SkyCity general manager of group services Grainne Troute said she was confident there was enough flexibility in the uniform policy to resolve the situation.
"We would like to reiterate that at no point was this situation deemed 'serious misconduct' which Unite's Mike Treen reported in his press statement, nor will it result in a dismissal."
Troute said SkyCity had tried to arrange a meeting with Parata and a Unite Union representative scheduled for Thursday to be brought forward in order to resolve the issue quickly.
The meeting is now scheduled for 4pm tomorrow.
In the meantime, Parata is drawing on a verse from Joshua in the Old Testament to give her strength.
She said she hopes to continue working at SkyCity despite the ordeal because she enjoys meeting the different people that come through the doors every day.