TVNZ chief executive Rick Ellis said today that Henry's remarks about Sir Anand were inappropriate for anyone in the company to make.
Henry yesterday asked Prime Minister John Key whether Sir Anand, who was born and raised in New Zealand by his Fijian Indian parents, was "even a New Zealander?"
"I have met with Paul and told him that while his apologies were the right thing to do and that I believe he is sincere in his regret, I still consider his remarks unacceptable for any employee of TVNZ to make," Mr Ellis said.
"TVNZ is a multi-cultural company that is representative of modern New Zealand's rich ethnic diversity.
"We give Paul a lot of freedom with the Breakfast programme and he does a magnificent job. But as we have said before, with that freedom comes responsibility.
"Paul is one of New Zealand's best broadcasters. He is a provocative host who speaks his mind and that is what many New Zealanders like about him. He often pushes the boundaries and that's important in a country that values freedom of speech. But I consider his latest remarks to have well and truly crossed that line."
Henry has been suspended without pay, effective immediately, and will return to air on October 18.
