Christchurch mayor Bob Parker says he has accepted earthquake recovery minister Gerry Brownlee's apology for calling him a "clown".
Brownlee's comments, reported in the Christchurch Mail, were a reaction to Parker's statement last week that the Government could force the city to increase rates or sell assets to pay for the earthquake recovery.
Brownlee told TV ONE's Breakfast this morning calling Parker a "clown" was a slip of the tongue.
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He said the clown comment was a sign of his frustration with the ongoing ructions at the city council.
In a statement, Parker, who is travelling in China, said Brownlee has been in touch with him and apologised over the comment.
"We are all working under considerable pressure at this time," Parker said.
"However the Government and the Council has a process of engagement on a number of fronts and I am sure that this will continue. Our focus is just to get on with the huge job of repairing and rebuilding our city together."
Deputy Mayor Ngaire Button this morning played down the situation, saying both men are under immense pressure.
Brownlee said when he made the remark, he was furious at Parker's comments that the Government could force the council to increase rates and sell assets.
He said the Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Authority (CERA) Act specifically forbids such a move.
"Everybody knows that the ratepayers in Christchurch have limited capacity," he told TV ONE's Breakfast.
Brownlee would not express confidence in the mayor today.
"It's not for me to express confidence or otherwise."
It's another crack between the Government and the Christchurch City Council and adds fuel to speculation that a commissioner to run the city is not far away.
Brownlee earlier said he was not surprised ratepayers are fed up with the way Christchurch is being run.
He said it is an outrageous abdication of Parker's responsibilities and he's sick and tired of the scrapping between city councillors.
Brownlee told Breakfast he was disappointed in Parker, but acknowledged that the mayor had significant difficulties with council.
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