A volunteer fire brigade’s charity-supporting video was removed from social media on Friday due to its "nature and theme", a Fire and Emergency New Zealand (Fenz) spokesman says.
The video posted by the Te Anau Volunteer Fire Brigade was one of many contributed by brigades in support of the Southland Charity Hospital.
The video involved firefighters performing to the Right Said Fred song I’m Too Sexy.
The Fenz spokesman said they fully supported brigades getting involved in local initiatives.
"However, our brigades’ actions must meet our organisational values and our commitment to ensuring all people inside and outside Fire and Emergency New Zealand are respected, valued and supported."
While many brigades ran their own social media pages, they were representing Fenz, and content that failed to uphold its organisational values could be removed.
"While we understand that there was some disappointment from the [Te Anau] brigade about the removal of the video, it is important everyone involved with Fire and Emergency meets our organisational values."
Fenz wanted to "work alongside our people to ensure they are supported and understand any actions taken".
On Friday morning, the Te Anau Volunteer Fire Brigade posted an apology on its Facebook page, saying it had never intended to cause offence.
"Sorry folks, we have been asked to remove our fundraising video as it has caused offence, for which we apologise unreservedly."
A Southland Charity Hospital spokeswoman said the hospital was very grateful for the support it had received from the community, including from numerous fire brigades.
"We have not been involved in discussions with Fenz regarding the video’s content," she said.
