UPDATED 2.22PM Gallagher Group corporate services executive Margaret Comer has apologised for her comments about the Chiefs stripper scandal.
Comer, a trustee on the board of Waikato Women's Refuge, said earlier this week that hiring a stripper was a "stupid damn thing to do" but the matter had been dealt with appropriately.
But today she said she was "regretful" about her remarks.
"I feel terrible that my poor choice of words have caused hurt and alarm. I am even more regretful given that I have always been passionate about championing causes and organisations that improve our communities both professionally on behalf of Gallagher's philanthropic efforts and personally on a number of not-for-profit boards.
"I most definitely do not condone any kind of mistreatment of women and am extremely regretful that my words yesterday do not reflect the high standard I expect of myself and those I am associated with."
Earlier in the week, Comer said she was "reluctant to say that the boys were out of line" after a stripper accused unnamed Chiefs players of touching her during the team's Mad Monday celebrations.
"If a woman takes her clothes off and walks around in a group of men, what are we supposed to do if one of them tries to touch her," Comer told Fairfax.
Gallaher's has also issued a statement saying it firmly believes in equal, fair treatment of women and absolutely does not condone any kind of behaviour to the contrary.
"We understand a full and formal investigation is underway and support the Chiefs management in following due process," said Gallagher Group Executive, People & Brand, Helen Camilleri.
Meanwhile, Minister for Women Louise Upston said it doesn't matter what work you're doing, nobody has the right to touch someone else against their wishes.
"Every girl and every woman no matter what she does still has the ability to say no, and I really think that speaking out on this particular occasion is a good thing to do."
Ms Upston said it's not acceptable, and we all have a responsibility in changing such attitudes.
"The instant kind of reaction is that everything needs to happen in schools, but actually a lot has to happen in homes. Some of that is clearly modelling behaviour."
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