Voyager founder and chief executive Seeby Woodhouse has apologised for retweeting a post he says was "unacceptable" and which led to the dumping of his company as sponsor of the New Zealand Media Awards.
Voyager's sponsorship was dropped today, just a fortnight out from the showcase awards.
The News Publishers Association said it became aware of social media content Woodhouse had re-posted. A spokesperson said the NPA considered it was "inconsistent with the values and standards" it upholds for New Zealand news publishing.
It did not say what the post was.
"While Mr Woodhouse's profile states that re-posting does not necessarily signify his agreement with the content, and the re-post has since been taken down, NPA considers the re-post irreconcilable with its values and standards."
The awards ceremony on May 22 will be held without a sponsor.
Woodhouse said this afternoon he was apologising unreservedly.
"That was a mistake, and I take responsibility for it."
He said he was on social media late at night, and retweeted a post without reading it fully.
Woodhouse said he removed it immediately when the matter was raised with him.
"Even though my profile bio says, 'retweets do not necessarily indicate agreement', that is not a shield. I was wrong to accidentally retweet it. There are no caveats to that.
"If you've followed my work for a while, you'll know I have strong views and I don't shy away from debate. But none of that makes up for what happened here.
"Accountability is simple: I shared it, it was wrong, and I'm sorry."
Voyager also said it had already decided not to continue as a naming rights sponsor beyond this year. But it was "disappointed" the relationship had ended that way.
In a statement, it said, "what Seeby unintentionally shared does not reflect Voyager's position as an organisation."
It wished the News Publishers Association "every success in the future".
Woodhouse formed the Voyager broadband company after selling internet provider Orcon, which he had started at university, for $25 million.
He is a prolific photographer; many of his photos from Coachella and Burning Man are uploaded to his Instagram profile.
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