“You may be aware of media coverage of comments that I made on my Australian radio program yesterday morning,"the letter sent on August 16 reads.
"I was speaking about Australia’s contribution to climate change;on this issue,my views differ significantly from yours.
“One of my comments,which has been broadly reported and doesn’t need to be repeated here,didn’t come out quite as I intended. I had meant to say ‘put a sock in it’ and my actual words were taken literally by some who took offence on your behalf”.
Mr Jones notes he did not intend to suggest any violence towards Ms Ardern.
“I clarified this online yesterday afternoon,and again this morning on my radio program,stating that while I may disagree with your stance on climate change,I would never wish any harm to you.
“Please accept my sincere apology for the words spoken,and I hope that my intentions are,at least now,clear.”
Mr Jones concludes his letter offering Ms Ardern an opportunity to discuss the matter further should she “consider it beneficial”.