Paul Eagle: "I'd like to formally apologise for any misunderstanding."

Labour MP Paul Eagle has apologised for an incident that saw a Wellingtonian call him an "entitled douchebag."

A Reddit user named "Cuthbertus" posted about the incident on the New Zealand subreddit on Friday afternoon, saying Eagle rung into their work and swore at them when he couldn't get his way.

Eagle says the whole thing was a misunderstanding, and that he was swearing at people blocking his way into his office - not someone on the phone.

In a self-described rant this user said Eagle was "the most entitled, rude and disrespectful man I have ever had the displeasure of dealing with."

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"It says a lot about a person's character how they treat those with less power than them and Mr Eagle thinks it's acceptable to swear at and berate those he does not deem to be of his level."

In the comments of the post the user clarified that the Rongotai MP "phoned into my work and threw his toys out the cot because he couldn't get his way."

When reached by Stuff, Eagle said the event was a misunderstanding, but offered his apologies.

Eagle said he was talking to a panel-beater on Friday afternoon about getting his car fixed and having a polite but robust discussion about whether or not a separate piece of damage could be fixed at the same time.

Whilst on the phone he was trying to get into his electorate office in Newtown, Wellington, and found his way blocked by some "guys give me lip outside."

"We've got a diverse community in Newtown and sometimes this happens. People are not shy to give you their honest feedback about things," Eagle said.

"I was swearing at them, they were swearing at me."

Once Eagle was in the office he said he realised he had been hung up on and was confused. Later his insurance company rung to suggest he try a different panel beater.

"It makes total sense, because now I understand why when I went back to the call it was dead. Within minutes the insurance company rang me," Eagle said.

"I'd like to formally apologise for any misunderstanding. And I certainly don't want her feeling any ill will."

Eagle said he was keen to go back to the panel beater and apologise in person.

The former deputy mayor entered Parliament at the 2017 election, taking over Annette King's long-held seat of Rongotai.

The Reddit user has been asked for comment.