Despite offering a weak and feeble apology this morning to the general public for not intending to sound racist, Paul Henry has dug a deeper hole for himself by making disparaging remarks about the status of European Gypsies, who are currently being persecuted in France.

From today’s NZ Herald:

Henry apologised yesterday if he caused any offence  but did not say sorry for the substance. This morning he went a little further.

“I am sincerely sorry if I seemed disrespectful to him (Sir Anand), that was not what I intended and I certainly didn’t intend to sound racist.

Is he trying to say that he is racist, but didn’t intend to come across as such?

It was wrong for me to ask the questions that I did.”

Henry said Sir Anand’s background was far more “dignified” than his own.

“Most people think that I am British but the truth is much, much worse than that, like the Governor-General I was born in New Zealand but, however, I am at least half what they colloquially call in Europe a gippo (gypsy).

“So let me make it quite clear I will never apologise for causing outrage, however, I will, and do apologise for causing real hurt and upset to anyone, no matter what their background, who works to make this country a better country

What about people outside of NZ who are offended by his remarks? What of the international students who, believing that NZ is a country free of racsim, want to go there to study?

“So in that spirit I apologise unreservedly to Sir Anand and his family, he is a very distinguished man I am a gippo television presenter.”

This apology doesn’t go anywhere near as far as it should and TVNZ should be ashamed for not thoroughly condemning Henry’s remarks yesterday, instead saying he’d said what NZ people “quietly think but are scared to say out loud”.

Furthermore John Key, who is both the Minister for Tourism and Prime Minister, failed to take Henry to task for his offensive remarks, preferring to laugh it off with a joke.

In the Dom Post:

TVNZ has come under attack for failing to condemn controversial presenter Paul Henry’s on-air claim that Governor-General Sir Anand Satyanand does not look and sound Kiwi enough.

Labour broadcasting spokesman Brendon Burns said the Breakfast host should be taken off air for the “racist and offensive” comments, made during his regular Monday chat with the prime minister. John Key also came under fire for not challenging Henry…”

We liked John Drinnan’s don’t blame the organ grinder, blame to monkey article for the Herald in which he roundly condemned TVNZ for the cynical use of Henry’s racist comments to boost publicity and profits, and for saying what we all know to be intrinsically true about New Zealand:

“… Henry’s comments betray a very small town New Zealand – not a place like Auckland with people from multiple ethnic backgrounds. The outrageous message is clear from state TV – you might be born in New Zealand, or have lived here 20 years, but if you look different you are not a New Zealander…”

The time is long overdue for Henry to go. A Facebook page, calling for him to be sacked may be found here

Other posts you may be interested in:

Covert racial prejudice rife commonplace in NZ – “A MAORI Party boss says hidden racism is rife in New Zealand. Co-vice president Heta Hingston said fellow Maori Party member Hone Harawira’s email rant against Pakeha was no worse than “covert” racial prejudice commonplace throughout the country.”

India’s High Commission disgusted at racist attack in Hastings, NZ –an elderly gentleman, Rakesh Kumar, was subjected to a violent mob  attack whilst hosting a dinner party at his home in Hastings, NZ.

Debbie Kohner Survey on racial abuse in Nelson and Tasman – more than 90% of all non-Europeans in Nelson and Tasman area have suffered racial abuse of one form or another.

Indians less safe in NZ than Kiwis in India – “More Indians are victims of crime in New Zealand than Kiwis are in India.”

Indian student attacked in New Plymouth no longer feels safe in NZ – after he was beaten and robbed.

Another Schoolkid, Mohammad Akif, Injured In Racist Attack. At Linwood College –  15 year old was beaten up by a group of unsupervised thugs in a corridor at Linwood College. He suffered a fractured cheekbone and various cuts and bruises in the attack.

4th serious attack on Auckland shop worker this year – all the victims were Asian people.

Indian man’s racist attack in Queenstown – Three Caucasian males hurled racial insults and  beat up an Indian man. One offender is believed to have used a knuckleduster or knuckle rings. The victim suffered a cut, bleeding nose and chipped teeth.

Indian students subject to racial abuse in New Zealand -Indian students studying in New Zealand’s southernmost city of Invercargill have been targets of racial abuse and called terrorists by local people.

Japanese students attack at Christchurch bus stop – two students attacked by a skin-head gang.

Everyday race hate rife in Christchurch – Thai girl is beaten up on a bus.