PM Christopher Luxon apologises for 'parent-child mentality' comments

The prime minister has apologised for remarks he made to the Rotorua business community.

At a business chamber event last week, Christopher Luxon told the audience some businesses had a "parent-child mentality" and too often looked to the government for help.

Speaking at his post-Cabinet media conference on Monday afternoon, Luxon said many small businesses were doing it tough and working long hours.

He said he was sorry if his comments did not properly acknowledge the challenges many small business owners were facing.

He said he had admiration for business owners and he "got it wrong".

Luxon earlier told Morning Report he acknowledged businesses were doing it tough, but his point to the Rotorua audience was that they and the government needed to work together.

Luxon's lack of action over Winston Peters following his tirade towards a Chinese-born MP in Parliament last week has also been criticised.

Luxon told Morning Report the comments were racist.

Luxon said this afternoon that he spoke to Peters today but would not be drawn on what was said.

-RNZ