The Human Rights Commission has taken disciplinary action against a staff member over comments she wrote about Ngapuhi activist David Rankin on her Facebook page.
Mr Rankin complained the staff member wrote derogatory and potentially defamatory comments about him, including: "David Rankin - pokokohua! I can't wait to tell him to his face!"
"This translates as wanting to boil my head, which is one of the most offensive statements any Maori can make to another Maori," Mr Rankin said.
In his letter, he said the behaviour amounted to hate speech and brought the entire commission into disrepute.
The commission today said it had taken appropriate disciplinary action and would make no further comment.
It said Mr Rankin had been informed of its response.
