Deaker sorry for dropping N-word on air

Murray Deaker. Photo / Paul Estcourt

Sky TV sports commentator Murray Deaker has apologised for describing somebody as "working like a nigger" on air - an expression his network claims is widely used.

Deaker made the comment on Wednesday night when referring to a South Island farmer.

"It was a guy who was a sheep farmer in Central Otago and somebody asked him why he was running the biggest sheep farm," Deaker said.

"And he was working like a nigger at the time. He was just throwing things around."

Today, Deaker issued an apology.

"It was a bad choice of words and I apologise unreservedly."

Sky Television spokesman Tony O'Brien responded to questions about the comment by claiming the phrase was in common use. "I'm not defending him, but that's a phrase that's widely used."

But Race Relations Commissioner Joris de Bres told the Weekend Herald that if that was the case, "he's moving in different circles to many other people".

"I don't think it's appropriate for a broadcaster to use it; it isn't an acceptable term. It used to be quite widespread, but I think we've moved on since then."

Asked if Deaker should apologise, Mr de Bres said: "I think he should reflect on it.

"I think it's more of a phrase than a provocation. I think when broadcasters deliberately provoke and express racist sentiment, it's more serious than when somebody uses an outmoded phrase."

Last night, Sky's corporate communications manager, Kirsty Way, said Deaker had full editorial control of and responsibility for his show.

"We're quite sure there was no offence intended by that statement ... I can say it's probably not something I would choose to use. But we'll have to talk to Murray before we get further comment on it."

Ms Way said she couldn't say whether the veteran broadcaster would apologise, but said Sky had received no complaints from subscribers.

Asked if Sky was standing by Mr O'Brien's statement that the phrase was widely used, she said: "No, Sky's not standing by the statement. I'm just saying no comment at this point in time."

Last October, Breakfast show co-presenter Paul Henry resigned from TVNZ after asking Prime Minister John Key if the Governor-General, Sir Anand Satyanand, was "even a New Zealander".

He also made jokes about the pronunciation of an Indian Government minister's name.

His comments were initially defended by a TVNZ public relations manager, Andi Brotherston, who said Henry was "prepared to say the things we quietly think but are scared to say out aloud".

She later said her comments were a "horrendous error of judgment".

And Newstalk ZB host Paul Holmes sparked a public outcry in 2003 after he referred to the then United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan as a "cheeky darkie".

In the same year, Deaker was pulled off air after a prescribed antidepressant propelled him into a manic state that led to his verbally attacking several guests.