Lockwood Smith has spoken exclusively to ONE News, expressing deep remorse for his controversial immigration comments.
"I wasn't expressing my view, I was simply reporting what people had been telling me. Now I can see how those comments taken out of that context could cause offence, and I apologise unreservedly for that offence caused," Smith says.
Smith suggested Asians were better fruit pickers because of their small hands and Pacific Islanders needed to be taught how to use the toilet and shower.
"I was simply reporting to a reporter what I had been told by the employers and contractors that day about the problems they have been experiencing," Smith explains.
But some of his constituents do not seem impressed with the apology and nor does his party leader John Key.
And the Prime Minister told Pacific Island workers the comments were degrading.
"The National Party tried to sell itself as a fresh face, this is the same old face of the National Party," Clark said.
Smith has been an MP in Rodney for the past 12 years and he is National's most senior MP, starting his political career in 1984. When ONE News spoke to him on Thursday morning he appeared to have genuine regret and remorse about his comments.
"I was deeply sorry that I've caused offence," he says.
Meanwhile, Key will be praying the story does not damage his election chances, and he's refusing to say if the offence can be put right.
