British comedian Jimmy Carr has caused offence in New Zealand by suggesting the country’s oldest city – Dunedin – could be improved by an earthquake.

The comedian has been touring the country and last night performed in Dunedin, on the lower east coast of the South Island.

On Twitter Carr posted photographs from Napier and Christchurch, which were both devastated and rebuilt after major earthquakes.

Carr said the earthquakes and subsequent rebuilds had made both cities “beautiful”, and Dunedin could be beautiful too if rebuilt after an earthquake.

In 1931 an earthquake in Hawke’s Bay claimed 256 lives, and in 2011 the Christchurch earthquake claimed 185 lives, and has so far cost the government an estimated NZ$40bn to rebuild, a project which is ongoing.

Went to Napier, destroyed by an earthquake - rebuilt - beautiful town.

Went to Christchurch, destroyed by an earthquake - rebuilt - beautiful town

I'm now in Dunedin. I'll tell you what this town needs... pic.twitter.com/TfS0fGk7lP — Jimmy Carr (@jimmycarr) January 22, 2018

Although many New Zealanders took the quip in good humour, others were offended and labelled the joke off-colour and inappropriate for a guest visiting a country which is vulnerable to earthquakes.

The Alpine fault runs up the spine of the South Island and has fascinated geologists for decades, as it is a notoriously active, and predicted to erupt every 330 years, producing large earthquakes of magnitude eight and above.

“Hope you found the Grenfell fire hilarious too, ” wrote one Twitter user.

“Mate not funny – sensitivity FAIL.” wrote another.

@jimmycarr with respect, what you need is a measure more decency and sensitivity. Not funny and will never be the right time. https://t.co/06JnjFzzdY — Chris Eichbaum (@ChrisEichbaum) January 22, 2018

By midday “Dunedin” was trending on Twitter in New Zealand.

On the weekend Carr tweeted about his “earthquake tour” of the island country, saying he’d better not make any jokes about it as “I’ll be on very shaky ground”.

Earlier in the tour Carr appeared beside New Zealand prime minister Jacinda Ardern on The Project, an evening panel show.

Ardern said she was somewhat nervous of appearing with Carr who is known for his acerbic wit.

“You’ll be fine. I love you,” Carr responded warmly.

“You’re like the opposite of [US president Donald] Trump.”