A complaint about Sir Bob Jones' controversial National Business Review column has not been upheld by the New Zealand Press Council.
That's despite the council describing the column, in which Sir Bob called for a "Maori gratitude day" as "mean and malicious".
But the council said freedom of expression was a crucial consideration in the case.
Members were split on the decision, with some saying it clearly exceeded a reasonable boundary of free speech.
The man who made the complaint, Mel Whaanga, says freedom of expression shouldn't be used as a shield.
"What was said is racist, it's an offence and it does cause hurt, even division and anger. And I think if we're to move forward as one people, one country and one nation that we need to be more sensitive," Mr Whaanga said.
A petition with almost 70,000 signatures calling for Sir Bob Jones to be stripped of his knighthood has been presented to Parliament.
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