The Green Party's spokesperson for disability Issues Mojo Mathers says the tweet is appallingly shallow.

"It really makes me question her committment to the disability community if she'd rather be out on the harbour than in meetings with them," Ms Mathers said to Newshub.

Gary Farrow, a journalist and disability advocate who lives with a severe brain injury, says he is concerned about Ms Wagner's progress with the portfolio if she is complaining about attending meetings.

"If our own Disability Issues Minister is subliminally complaining about attending meetings in Auckland, relating to exactly that portfolio, by openly commenting that she'd rather be somewhere on the harbour - which is inaccessible to many people with disabilities - then I fear for the amount of progress she's actually aiming to achieve for the disabled community at these meetings."

Wagner hard-working, competent - Bill English

Prime Minister Bill English defended his minister at the Waterview Tunnel opening on Sunday.

"Nicky Wagner is a strong advocate for the disability community. She has many friends there. No-one would believe that Nicky Wagner set out to be offensive to people with disabilities.

"She's a very hardworking, competent minister who made a mistake with her tweet, easily misunderstood, and she's fixed that, which is appropriate."

Mr English said there was no way Ms Wagner meant to offend.

Newshub.

