Cr Ria Bond apologised for her absence from the first Invercargill City Council meeting last Tuesday after her father, Hoterene Ariki Hoterene, known in the community as Shorty Shortland, died.
She said yesterday she had to travel last week to Motatau, in Northland, where the funeral took place.
However, while she was mourning her dad, she had to deal with several comments on social media, criticising her for not being at at the meeting.
"I was actually really shocked.
"People don’t know what is happening and I can understand that they can be malicious but I was really sad to get those messages.
"What is wrong with people?"
The messages suggested she was lazy or that she was "feeding at the trough", she said.
"I am always going to be a councillor for Invercargill, but I had to be there for my dad.
"I would like the public to understand that I am also a daughter and I lost my father.
"The whole situation is a bit shocking for me."
She said throughout her political career, she had to get used to some members of the public criticising or saying things about her through social media.
She asked the public to be kind, as many times they did not know the full story.
"We are all humans.
"If someone issues an apology, it can be for a very good and valid reason why they are not there.
"People should not judge beforehand."
Although still feeling fragile, she said was ready to attend the council meeting today as it was what her father wanted her to do.
He was one of her biggest supporters in her standing for council, she said.
"He was my biggest fan and he believed in me. I feel he waited for me to get into the council and then he passed away.
"I just want to make him proud and work hard for our city."
