Former TVNZ Breakfast frontman Paul Henry has been getting away with racist comments for years, says Tai Tokerau MP Hone Harawira.
"His superiors like the fact his rampant racism is good for the ratings," Mr Harawira said.
The Maori Party Northland MP said he had not been approached to replace Henry as host of TVNZ's Breakfast show.
He has lashed out at "bloggers" and other commentators who supported Mr Henry but had criticised him for his comments.
Mr Harawira was angry about a TVNZ spokesman's comments that "Henry was prepared to say the things we quietly think but are scared to say out loud".
The MP said: "The sad part is that it's true - a lot of Pakeha New Zealanders like Paul Henry for exactly that reason, regardless of how nasty he gets and how many people he hurts."
Henry racism 'rampant for years'
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