Robert Herewini played the role of Santa in the 2018 Nelson Santa Parade. Not everyone was happy.

A week on from his divisive appearance at Nelson's Santa Parade, Robert Herewini says the aftermath of ill-feeling from his appearance as Hana Kōkō has taken its toll but ultimately made him a stronger person.

Speaking to TVNZ's Marae programme on Sunday, Herewini admitted it had been a difficult few days as his Hana Kōkō appearance complete with red korowai (Māori cloak) became national news and a hot topic on social media.

"It's been pretty tough with all the comments and stuff that they've said on Facebook – it's been quite draining and it's had an effect on my family.

"A lot of my friends told me 'don't read the comments' – I couldn't help myself and some of those comments are pretty shocking."

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While most criticism revolved around a lack of traditional Santa suit being worn, a number of commenters were racially-focused.

A resident of Nelson for 39 years, Herewini said some of the online abuse had exposed a racial undercurrent he did not realise existed in the city.

"Obviously some people have a point of view that Maori are like that ... a stereotypical view that Maori are hard drinkers and hard eaters. People know me and know that I don't drink so I won't be climbing down anybody's chimney to have a drink."

A volunteer at Nelson's Community Art Works and a kaiāwhina (helper) at Nelson's Victory Primary School, Herewini said his intention was not to cause offence, but simply represent the South Pacific and Māori communities in Nelson.

"I didn't have any hidden agenda – I was just happy to go and represent our culture because it was all about multi-culturalism, that Santa Parade."

"As we were travelling down the street on the float, you could actually see the shocked look on the faces of the people and a lot of those were Pakeha people – people giving me the thumbs down, booing me.

"If that's how you want to express your tino rangatiratanga (absolute sovereignty) about Christmas – that's up to you."

Despite the negative feedback, it is understood that Herewini had also received messages of support from a number of people in the parade's aftermath, including at least two All Blacks.

He said the incident had taught him to stand strong in the face of adversity, particularly when it came to his Māori identity.

"You can have all these racist comments come to you, but if you stick to your guns and see through, they're just words from people that you don't know.

"When I went down that parade on the back of that float and saw all the Māori people cheering me [on] – and the Māori kids – that's what made me feel good inside."