The Prime Minister says an apology from Kelvin Davis was warranted -- after his comments to a fellow Maori MP

The Deputy Labour leader has now phoned Act's Karen Chhour, to apologise for his 'vanilla lens' remark in the House yesterday.

Jacinda Ardern says Davis raised with her about approaching Chhour and making an apology -- and she agreed.

She says there is cut and thrust in the House -- but MPs need to make sure they're debating the policy, not the person.

Ardern says Davis himself has acknowledged this became too personal, and apologised.