The AM Show's Duncan Garner defended Taika Waititi after the filmmaker came under fire for directing a Coca-Cola commercial.
NZ Dental Association spokesperson Rob Beaglehole on Thursday told Newshub that he was appalled Waititi had directed the Christmas advert for the soft-drink behemoth.
He said sugary drinks are harmful to Kiwis' health and advocates for the Government to introduce new regulations to reduce their consumption.
"It's a very powerful ad and very clever, and I felt like writing a letter to Taika saying how disappointed I was - particularly from the Māori health equity perspective," he said.
"I'd like to say you're an awesome director; my kids love you and I really enjoy all your movies [but] please can you cease all relationship you have with a company that is directly harming New Zealanders - particularly youth."
But Waititi has found an ally in Garner, once a critic.
Speaking on Friday morning, Garner called Waititi a "brilliant, brilliant filmmaker" and "hot property".
"He needs to be careful because he does moralise on other things and he is very vocal and outspoken about issues in New Zealand. He stands up there and it's right to have a go.
"But actually, I am on his side. He can work for who he likes… He can work for who he likes. It is freedom of association and all sorts of things."
He argued that criticism of the likes of Waititi for working for organisations like Coca-Cola Amatil could create a "slippery slope".
The AM Show newsreader Amanda Gillies agreed that Waititi wasn't forcing the drink down people's throats.
Garner and Waititi have history, with the morning show host in 2017 calling the director out after he said he was ashamed of his homeland.
"I'm not very proud of coming from a place that everyone overseas thinks it's this pure, clean, green country but, in reality, all our lakes and waterways are poison," Waititi said after being named New Zealander of the Year.
"We've got a lot to learn about our depression rates, our suicide rates, teen suicide rates, child poverty numbers and the housing crisis."
Garner said that Waititi shouldn't be saying that as an ambassador for the country.
"You cannot be this treasonous about your own country. You cannot say you're not proud to be a New Zealander if you're the New Zealander of the year.
Waititi later hit back, tweeting further criticisms of New Zealand.
"I'm sorry NZ! I wasn't thinking and spoke in haste. I forgot to mention domestic violence, sexism, homophobia, and racism. My bad!," he wrote.
