The head of New Zealand construction firm Fletcher has apologised for disparaging comments he made about Irish builders.

Graham Darlow accused contractors from Ireland of shoddy workmanship when responding to concerns about the standard of rebuilding work carried out during the recovery phase after 2011's devastating earthquake in Christchurch.

"There may be a few that we can't find the contractor. Maybe they've gone out of business. Maybe they've gone back to Ireland. And for those, Fletcher will be fronting for the cost of the repair."

The interview spawned complaints and criticism both here and in New Zealand.

Darlow has now issued a statement apologising for any confusion his original comments may have caused.

"New Zealand could never have rebuilt Canterbury at this pace and to this high standard without the huge contribution of builders and contractors from Ireland and many other international countries."

"Many builders of Irish descent have stayed in Canterbury and continue to work on the rebuild and we are delighted they have remained as part of the Fletcher family."

The irony is that the company itself was set up by an emigrant builder from Scotland in 1908.