702 thoughts on ““New Zealand Is Turning Into A Really Racist Country” – updated 26 Aug 2015: Skin Heads and Hate Crimes.”

1. Always do not go for Racist as all are same human we all human no matter from heat country we are coming or what race we are (eg, British, mouri, new zelander, Chinese, Malay, Arab, Indian & etc etc).
   Human are always not perfect why need criticize each other by the way all human or all races are running ReD color blood can it be other color?? Green or yellow .
   I do agree to some ppl are feel hurt by others but god is there watching us so what come around will go around.
   Easy country need to growth that is why immigration look for ppl to come in to boom the country and actually I do hv the same feeling some will racist due to job selection they sure will put away those Chinese resume even they fit the job but do not worry when time change everything will be change.
   Anyway most richest man in top list there is many Chinese or Indian is coming soon as now India booming due to country population, so why worry see thing in wide range of ankle.
   I been here also becoz my husband get a offer job here and we not border whether their ppl are not happy on us becoz we are coming here to take their bowl of rice but if anyone hv brain can think why the company choose overseas staff coming in instead get their own ppl is quality (fast deliver/able to handle job without any problem lacking for your boss and experience of work how to overcome when there is issue coming & etc..,)
   I actually also seeking job around and I know that my application have been rejected maybe hv many ppl are applying as per recruitment agency told and company hv selected are better candidate but when I search job again they advertise in another job website which mean they still not get the candidate why they are bluffing me it’s maybe they just want me to feel better and they are looking for even better than mine to fill the position. Why I want to said this is always think positive if ppl turn me down then I work more harder to let them accept and agree with us. Never ever be negative thinking as when you go negative thing will come negative.
   All my ex boss and even some colleague also surprise that I can’t even get a job in nz they are headhunter in my country always call me for job opportunity even I’m hire but when you are hire you will not probAbly want to go even they paid high salary and the company own by Japanese or us.
   So be happy everyone always be greatful what you have and not criticize racist all are living in the same country and same roof who know one day when you need help the person was the one you criticize.
   Good luck everyone

2. I know that where I come from, a certain percentage of right-wingers, especially from backward areas, can be counted on to make comments about people of other races, religions, orientations. and so on. In New Zealand, as with the drug use, it crosses lines that surprise you. So an upper middle class leftie Greens party accountant we knew in the Far North was using terms like “taking a Maori shower”, “Maori earthmoving” and others. His father would call individual male Maoris “Hori” and other Polynesian people “Felofasofa” and so on, making fun of the way their names sounded and the attributes associated with their cultures. They regarded this as joking and not as a genuine reflection of their beliefs, but the demographics of their personal networks generally corroborated their preference for their own sort.

3. NZ has always been and will always be a racist country i think. Especially the HR. You cant find a decent job here if your a black race or asian 😦

4. I feel very sorry for all of the people here. And the people who threw racist comments at them are F***ing mentals

5. I often wince with embarressment when I overheard stupid ignorant statements made by my fellow new zealanders (I’m white and I m talking about white nzers). New zealanders are nice people but unfortaunetly because of our isloation and cultural backwardness, we are narrow minded. It is what it is. I’m very sorry to hear of an mistreatment towards asians. Speaking from experience I’ve travelled to china korea japan. And the asians are incrediably polite and treated me excellently. New zealanders needed to grow up, extend themselves, overcome that small-town mentaility.

6. but this is NZ goverment fault and not from people ho save aloot to go to a better place! for nz goverment the income from international students are far better than nz citizen interests… so go complain and made a revolution or kick goverment ass, but the immigrants dont have the blame

   • Revolutions can only happen if people believe that will make things change.
     The lack of that, what does that say about the future of government in New Zealand (and the people the government is made up of) … or how people there will treat immigrants and not refugees?

7. steven :
   while i admit I have seen this racism 1st hand ( Im a “Pakeha” which is the Maori word for white man/people ) I have had mates at school who came over to NZ to study and have had coworkers who have come over to work and I do believe it is appalling that it still happens. I believe it got worse with the so called Asian invasion, too many too fast and when people started losing jobs, homes and businesses to the people coming from other countries in this short time the racism issue flared again ever since with each new flood of people entering the country is viewed with the same suspicion because our government made a mistake back then and couldn’t fix it, look at how racism wasn’t such a widespread or maybe as noticeable problem before then people will come in small groups not like the floods of people we get now at times so we as a country had time to get used to and intermingle with the newcomers and now yes our government looks at them like cash cows and even the people. The people that come over think there is plenty of space jobs and money to go around because that is what they are told before they move so they save up and come over with enough money for a few weeks at best thinking that it would be easy to find a house,job etc etc, some do find it easy but don’t realize their success can put people out onto the street and worse some don’t even care. I do agree that it is a nasty problem in our country and agree with the comment “PRETTY LAND, TOXIC PEOPLE” by plumtart2003 but I believe rather than demonizing us kiwis ( who are all really immigrants yes even the Maoris read the history and you’ll find it ) but in looking at the issue in its entirety, Our governments propaganda, the influx of immigrants, the loss of jobs and housing etc because there is not enough to go around, and finally the visible symptom of all of this the racism towards immigrants, while true racism still exists alot of it nowadays is not the same it is due to people being fearful of losing their jobs and houses so to try to stop this they treat immigrants like crap so enough leave that we aren’t struggling to feed and cloth ourselves and our families. I believe that if we cannot cope with the level of population we need to let people leave but temporarily reduce the amount of people coming into the country till we get down to a number we can sustain and increase that number slowly so this problem goes away and racism drops back to what it was or even better lower than what it was. its not personal I think but each and every person who has come over and experienced racism from our people ask yourself this ” how would you feel if your country was doing well life was good and then because of some idiot high up you get a massive amount of immigrants all at once to the point where they are taking your jobs homes and businesses etc etc like what has happened to us how would you react to that ? would you do any better ? or would you do worse ? by no means does this mean what you have experienced is justifiable or excusable but we are a small country and were unable to cope and since our government was just making the problem worse and still is, some people came up with this as a solution ( it didnt work too well either but there are all ways stubborn people still clinging to old ways as with every country and culture ) I would like to change the quote “PRETTY LAND, TOXIC PEOPLE” into ” Pretty Land, Retard In Charge Making Toxic People”

8. anyone think the Brother, Sister, Cousin law being a possible culprit?
   (for foreigners: Kiwis are allowed to marry brothers, sisters, cousins, etc. due to population)

   In fact, White Kiwi Males have lower IQs.
   (straight from a White Kiwi Female on YouTube)

9. Not much racism in NZ,,if youve travelled the world you will see much more racism than here ,,the maoris are the ones who have it hardest as the land was taken from them so harden up all ye.

   • Then collect reparations from the people who wronged you, not others who have nothing to do with your quarrel.
     Simple enough, no?

10. I’m sorry to hear about this. New Zealand used not to be so racist. As a so called white New Zealander, I find Auckland has aways had a problem. I personally find all racism disgusting and am interested in where everyone comes from, as I want to learn more. As a last comment, I think racists are usually stupid people anyway. They are also dangerous and racism causes wars!

11. Hi i am a new zealander and my family sailed here 1879 and have lived here ever since i am very proud to be a scottish/kiwi and i do not think that me nor my family are racist what so ever and at the end of the day we are all people that live on the same planet but at the end of the day my family has been here longer then most so I demand respect and with respect I give respect. I dont care where your from I dont care if your a so called kiwi a russian a asian a European or a African I will show u respect and if you dont show respect in return theres gonna be a real problem. I think all of you will find us real kiwis (whos familys have lived here b4 1900) are not that racist at all and all the others arent racist they just dont like anyone. All you people need to harded the f up and not let people walk all over you. At the end of the day the people that dont and cant stand up for themselves are gonna get walked all over it doesnt matter where in the world you are its gonna happen because the fit survive so instead of pointing fingers at the wrong people get your facts straight. South Africans/russians/asians/germans theyre alot more racist then kiwis but the thing that makes us different is we dont put up with your guys crap. So the bottom line is if you act or look weak ur get picked on. Sh*t did your school tell you earth was heaven or something. Imagine my kids went to school in your country u dont think they would get picked on of course they would untill they hardened up and showed them theyre not little wimps. Hope this is of some help people 🙂

    • Thanks Cameron, we don’t normally publish posts like yours but it was such an excellent example of ingrained racism masquerading as self righteous indignation that we couldn’t let it pass.

      Have you considered that it is your attitude that needs to change. Ever thought about emigrating and getting some real world, mind broadening experience?

      • Hi E2NZ. I personally didn’t find Cameron’s post racist. I think he trying to help. He offers a way of coping. It is not an approach I would use, but works for some.

    • @Cameron:
      You’re a bit of a “fun guy” (fungi):
      All you people need to harded the f up and not let people walk all over you.
      So why are New Zealanders complaining about rising house prices? Willing buyer, willing seller.

      At the end of the day the people that dont and cant stand up for themselves are gonna get walked all over it doesnt matter where in the world you are its gonna happen because the fit survive so instead of pointing fingers at the wrong people get your facts straight.
      It must be fun for you guys to do your “over 4-years-cause-you-failed- too-many-times” degrees, while paying out of your own pocket since student loans don’t last past the 4th year (or 3rd year if you need to take CUP courses to get up to speed) … or to the completion of your Law/Medicine/Psychology qualifications. After all, the fit survive, amirite?

      So the bottom line is if you act or look weak ur get picked on.
      Don’t start complaining about gangsterism, thuggery or crime then. Only the weak get picked on.

      Imagine my kids went to school in your country u dont think they would get picked on of course they would untill they hardened up and showed them theyre not little wimps.
      I’d like to see that country in Asia where “not born there” people from “countries considered white”(correct me if my assumption is wrong) are picked on or treated with contempt, or paid LESS than locals. It’s been my observation that whether in China, South Korea, Singapore or other Asian countries, they’re paid MULTIPLES of the local person’s wages.
      Maybe that’s why I have little sympathy for the stupid argument “people from NZ cannot own land in Asian countries” … erm, your fat paycheque should certainly ease that disappointment. I also haven’t heard of that “person from a country considered white” who “died of overwork” in Asia.
      P.S. My experience as an Asian in NZ: “tolerance” is not “respect”. (Maybe it’s ’cause I’m an Asian male?)

    • You obviously have,nt lived anywhere else but NZ, My experience of school in a foreign culture as a student was the overall friendliness and hospitality of the students. In contrast to school in NZ (small city,southland) where if you were different you were ignored. by the way what does it mean to “harden up” ,are we all supposed to conform into the same kiwi bloke world view.

12. Irony; a country where the immigrants took over, and then complain about immigrants. There are too many immigrants in New Zealand ask any Maori! I see even the Indian population, hate the immigrants, and moan about the POMs maybe they should be reminded if it had not been for the POMs, maybe the poor Maori would not have lost his land. A lot of English emigrate to NZ and Aussieland because they think their country is full of immigrants! There is a poetic justice in that! However I think there is a psyche about “white/ British” people in that they do not like anyone who is coloured. Well that’s not quite true, they like Indian / Chinese, and Japanese women, their, food, yet hate the male of the species, they even try to get a tan, and go Bollywood dancing and love the fashion. I see the Indians in NZ hate Indians, however most I have met, suddenly become, Indian, with their white friends, and whilst over in England complain about the influx of Indians and how tradition they are!

13. New Zealand was racist from its inception

14. Thats what you get from excessive immigration , look at France , UK etc and now the last example is Singapore . Excessive immigration without good integration is the major problem , and even Singapore is paying the price with racism .
    Immigrants have to integrate and adopt culture , and government immigration services have to be much more selective backed up by legislation . Also governments have to made accountable under the law for mismanagement of this type , no political immunity .
    Also certain NGO’s who are for immigration has to be made responsible for their decisions.
    Any government today who does not listen to citizens concerning immigration is heading for instability and possibly racist reactions .

    • Excessive immigration without good integration is the major problem , and even Singapore is paying the price with racism .
      U wot m8?
      Immigration to Singapore is largely from China and India. Singapore is a multiracial Asian country. So that idea of “racism” is kind of insane.
      What is happening in Singapore is immigrant workers being paid less and locals being disregarded for positions – HARDLY what is happening in New Zealand, where some locals seem to have preference despite poorer schooling, grammar and ability!
      I’m sure no New Zealand citizen would want to step up to the plate of receiving less than the minimum wage.
      http://www.stuff.co.nz/the-press/news/8087351/Claims-Chinese-firms-routinely-underpaying
      As long as you think it’s only a problem for immigrants to get less than the award rate … you may later find yourself working for peanuts to compete. As Martin Luther King, Jr. said “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.”

15. Im kiwi(pakeha) but cant get a job. All I see is foreigners working every job in Auckland.
    How do think we feel when kiwis wont employ us.I worked 10 yrs overseas and come back to a city where all employers only hire immigrants, was never racist overseas and had plenty of foreign friends.Wish I never came back.NZ sux.

    • I think Auckland is an anomaly in New Zealand. You do indeed see many foreigners working in Auckland. Move to a smaller city, and I am sure you will find the Pakeha Kiwis are given preference.

16. I have applied to around 30 jobs since arriving in New Zealand. I am UK born and bred but my surname is not ‘white’.

    I have years of experience working for companies which are known around the world. I have applied for positions not only at my current level but at a level I was working at 5 years ago. So far I have not been accepted for ONE interview. I have been rejected from every single application even before they have seen me.

    You would think that it may be my CV, but in the UK, I didn’t seem to have a problem.

    • I dont think its you…. i have had the same problem here as well.. and my CV was just fine in the UK and in South Africa where i am from….Im sorry to hear that..

17. the worst Managers are kiwis. and they are the worst
    professionals too… so lazy. They pretend that they know
    everything, but when it comes to the actual practice, they fail big
    time.

18. She has both my mobile number and land line. In any way, I
    would not like my daughter to have the instructor with such bad
    manners anymore. It seems she is very nice to my daughter’s friend,
    so we were told she is a very nice person and a good instructor.
    However, I saw her face on face book page and I don’t like her,
    either. It gives me the impression of what kind of person she is. I
    would have tried her if the phone conversation went well. But, I am
    glad that we don’t have to try her.

    • By the way, I rang her today at 3pm because my daughter
      really wanted to ring her thinking she might have forgotten it. Her
      daughter got the phone, her speaker phone was on so I could hear a
      woman telling this girl to get my name and phone number and tell me
      to ring in 30 min. It was quiet so I couldn’t recognize her voice.
      I assumed it was her, but it could be another daughter. My gut
      feeling was her, though. It was adult talking. So, I rang back at
      3.30. The daughter got it again and said I should ring back in 2
      hours. So, I told her to tell her mum to ring me back when she
      comes home. So far, she hasn’t rung back. (4 hours later) My
      daughter in the meantime said she didn’t want her anymore. I’ve
      never encountered this kind of experience in regards of some
      activity either for myself or my children. Even though initially
      she texted me saying that she could give a lesson to my daughter,
      but her attitude changed after I range her up and wanted to talk
      about the details. But, as you two suggest, I’ll take her attitude
      as ‘slack’ ‘rude’ ‘meanness’ etc…other than racism. I don’t tell
      my daughter about ‘racism’ experience, yet. She also doesn’t say
      that. Just ‘forgot’ ‘mean’ .etc…

      • Just an update – Some days ago, my daughter told me that she was sitting next to a girl in one of her classes. They talked about their common interest in horses. It turned out that the instructor lets the girl use her land for free horse riding with the instructor’s horse. My gut feeling was that she didn’t bother to talk with me in the first place. She just said that she gives lessons to people who have their own horses, let alone free riding. My daughter would have loved free riding, too. We didn’t even get to talk with her about different options at all. Blocked.

        • Thanks for the update, that must’ve been upsetting for both of you.

19. Is this racism or not?

    I rang up an instructor yesterday to make an inquiry about an activity that she offers. I put the speaker phone on so my teenage daughter could hear the conversation as it was related with her. My daughter got the instructor’s number from her friend who gets lessons from her. When I rang, I told her who I was and why I rang. The instructor said she would ring me in 10 min. but she didn’t ring me back yet. (now the next day – more than 24 hours passed)

    If I took this as racism, would I be too sensitive? I wonder whether she would have rung us back if my teenage daughter or son who have no Asian accent. Or she might have even had time to talk on the spot yesterday, I wonder… (Before, she texted me to ring on her land line when she gets home, so I did)

    Now, even if she rings back, I do not have a good impression of her, so I probably would not choose her as my daughter’s instructor. Regardless racism or not, this is such a bad manner, I think. Would she have done that to people who speak with NZ accent or non Asian accent, e.g. European?

    Anyway, this is the first time my teenage daughter happen to observe the situation. She normally doesn’t take things as ‘racism’, so I don’t know how she is going to perceive this.

    This kind of thing is confusing to figure out whether it is a form of racism or not…

    What do you think of this? Is this just a very bad manner? Too busy? Forgot to ring back? Anybody had similar experience? Did you contact the person again? How did you respond/react?

    • Plain old fashioned bad manners. Give her a call just in case she’s lost your number.

      • Yes, they are just slack like that in general. I wouldn’t take that as racism. Find someone else if you’re getting a bad vibe from her though. Trust your gut!

20. Don’t get me started on job interviews in New Zealand,I have lived in the country for 19 years and now in my mid 20s when I applied for a job,I found one or two employers or HR’s would start sniggering during the job interview and also my mum who works in a supermarket,the staff would get jealous and her give her abuse too because she is a efficent worker and would refuse to take part in rumor spreading or gossiping

21. wow just stumbled onto this website and after reading the previous comments, left me with a headache. I’m part Moari and English. I have received racists comments from both sides..dirty moari..stuck up white B… and the list goes now. My family and I are quite open minded, worked hard and have a lot of friends from different nationalities. 30 years later, my sister married a migrant and they have 5 kids together. The younger kids 4&5 are teased and called filthy Indians from the white kids. The older kids who are lighter in color are called lazy Maoris by the Migrant kids. It is obvious these types of comments by a bunch of 4-9 year olds get it from their racist parents. Its got to the point now my brother n law wants to move them out of this stupid country (considering he is a citizen here and has one of the top jobs in this country). I already have siblings who couldn’t get a job here due their native race, the biggest excuse is they where over qualified, the reason is because they are half-cast, Now are earning big money in Japan and Australia. My problem is the ones who complain about migrants taking the jobs, then going around spreading hate, my answer is get off your lazy backside get a job then we don’t have to outsource jobs. ( Although all the cut backs in the market place are not helping thanks to the NZ govt, one of the reasons why my relatives have left.) I am living in a city where the fascist Nazi mindset has moved in and the name calling starts up when I get a tan in summer and hang out with my Asian mates. Something really needs to change here, not sure what but this country is really going to the pack.

22. I remember hearing complaints from British women there that their men had become feral (Kiwified) after migration. Hygiene, manners, out the window.

    • …and I thought the water was gratis over there!Dear
      me!

23. I can’t claim to know a great deal about NZ as a country because I’ve never been there.I do however have family over there that I do not speak to anymore.They left England 30 years ago to start a new life and periodically visited us every 5 years.There seemed to be a very gradual and unpleasant change to their characters in this time that led to a lot of friction between myself and them.They did display these racist atitudes mentioned here and seemed to take an almost parochial attitude(i.e what happens outside NZ was of no consequence whatsoever).Furthermore they became arrogant ,rude and insufferable:whether this is a charcter flaw on their part or an indication of Kiwi out look,I couldn’t say.Perhaps a KIWI could offer his or her opinion?

24. I would like to welcome all people to our country Manakitanga is key for how we treat people (Tangata whenua ) the first people of the land it is with us that you should build a relationship first shame on all of us buying into the hatred and bull crap about asians etc… shame
    the hatred and thinking is only coming from the western world world beliefs of money rulz the world and all that fear mongering its all about money and been victims of fear what ever racism is when we carry on the bull crap that we lose jobs housing what ever that is not true …read the facts who really owns this country I am asahmed to read all this crap listening to it on talk backs one eyed racist views guess what we dont all think like the majority of whingers and whiners in the country …….who have nothing better to do than complain , run other cultures down and sit on these sites writing lots of crap yak I am so ahamed and sick of negative views and guess what I just turn off the radio and dont normally read all the racist crap coming from moaners and whingers with nothing better to do guess what diversity and difference is every where we are everywhere could be one day you daughter in law son in law , landlord , tenant , future boss …….. aroha ki te tangata always think well of others in how we treat people
    Kai Tahu proverb
    Tania M

25. http://www.stuff.co.nz/manawatu-standard/news/8782258/Attacking-sisters-hurled-fists-and-racism
    Interesting case.
    The defence used by the girls:
    Defence lawyer Jacinda Younger said the incident was triggered by Mr Gupta grabbing Tawharu’s breasts.
    Her sister’s lawyer, Mike Andrews, two weeks’ ago accused Mr Gupta of grabbing one of the women’s bottoms.
    Judge Lynch noted the “part of the anatomy” had changed.

    Always take the time to enable recording devices on your person, it may save you a false sex-harassment charge or a racist the chance of getting away by claiming a sexual assault.

26. To all you racists New Zealanders ,I have lived in this country for over 30 years .From primary school till now you have called me terrorist ,curry muncher, rag head etc.When ever I challenged you were shocked that I stood up for my self and you backed off like a coward.I am stay right here and you make me leave.Just as much as you hate me now I feel sorry for you lot,in such a nice country you are brought up so twisted and full of hate………even the poorest people who I meet in my life through out the world in the poorest of countries are more welcoming and friendly than you lot, brought up in the land of milk of honey but jealous greedy as hell.

27. Yeah, NZ is truly a racist country. I should know I lived there for years and received racism not only from Pakehas but also Maoris and even an Aborigine in New Zealand Post. So you can’t expect me to be sympathetic to Aborigine in Aust. In New Zealand Post, they expected me to do all the work manual work at that and the team leader accused me of being lazy to the instigation of I think her Maori coworker who was racist towards me. In the union meet all they can say is cultural gap despite the team leader saying she does not know why she was racist to me. I am a science grad of the most competitive university in my country and hope never to set foot in New Zealand. I know UP Phds working as janitors can you imagine!

    • I came in New Zealand for one year PG diploma in University, from India. As every Indian coming over here I also had a dream of making friends in University while studying along with them. But within three to four months I realized that No one literally no one came to me and just say even a ‘Hi’. It was like I was completely being ignored in the class room. The friends whom I made was like me who came from India to study in the Uni and they were also treated the same like me. Its been an year since I am here and the story is the same. I am from a culturally rich country and completed my bachelors and masters in a University and what happened in India was that if anyone was from some other state came to our institute we would go to him or her and talk with them about their culture, family and if they have any kind of problems while settling in the new place and make that person our friend. But here there was no one, even the people in the International student office say that you have to gel in the system, I always wonder that how can you gel in some place where there is no one talking to you even the Indians who are born and brought up here didn’t talked with us. First time in my life I have seen that how one is being alienated in a place because you don’t have white color, no one talks with you and you just come and attend the class and go back to your house. Also there are many stories which I have heard from other Indians who came here to study that how they were punched in their faces, kicked and got looted with all of their cash and mobile phones plus being offered with various racial insults. Never in my life I felt that making friends is so difficult. Me and my friend were also gifted with F*** you Indians insult when we were walking on a road on a friday night. I would not recommend anyone to come in this country because it is not as they say on their different college and uni websites that the environment here is very friendly and blah blah. Nothing like that happens here and moreover there is no jobs over here as they depict on their sites. I don’t know, but its quite depressing when you are treated as you don’t belong to that place when you are away from your loved ones and came to an unknown place and environment for better prospects.

28. Japan has its share of ethnocentric racists but the right-wing idiots over here don’t personally heckle and fling crap at minorities from unmarked moving vehicles like in New Zealand, especially Christchurch. This city already developed a bad reputation for being unable to build and maintain modern office blocks that can withstand the jolt of a moderate scale earthquake, so let’s not have racist physical violence tarnishing the city’s name any further, because it’s difficult enough to raise awareness of New Zealand as a potential tourist destination to the Japanese, let alone persuading them to visit the ‘tiny village’ of Christchurch in the age of super cheap holidays to Australia, the Marianas and other tourist spots that matter.

    Then again, I doubt New Zealand gives a crap about Japanese tourists, the average Kiwi can’t tell the difference between East Asian Chinese, Japanese or Koreans to begin with. Oh and there’s this irony that all those racist hecklers and egg chuckers drive used Japanese cars, so what’s the message they really want to tell their victims? “Go home Asians, I drive a Subaru which was driven by a half-a-dozen Japos before it was shipped to New Zealand which then I stole.”

29. I just moved here in new zealand and trust they are racist. espcially finding jobs.

    • I had the same experience like yours. I left for Australia and managed to secure a high post job within a week. I was in NZ for 1.5 years job hunting and had to work as cashier in PakNSave. Common replies on rejection are
      1. no NZ experience…although i have 10 years OE working in world class project internationally…(Ironic or just pure hypocrite when Kiwis travel abroad to get OE)..not even given opportunity for Fresh Graduate vacancy.
      2. I don’t have Kiwi Accent….yeah..I speak Queen’s English…At 2 interviews, the interviewers asked,’Are you from UK?’….
      3. I am South East Asian….One recruiter at Hamilton SODA asked,’Can you speak English?’, ‘ China must be really cold that’s why you moved here’….I was like ???? WTF??
      4. I was a regular at one of the Cafe in The Base, Hamilton….The regular barista that always welcome me in the morning asked,’Why are you still here? When are you going back to your home country?’ and I replied, ‘I live and work here’….after that he turned cold towards me…I stop visiting that cafe after that…
      5. A kiwi friend, more like unfriendly neighbour, as I was complaining to him on how hard to get job after he told me he was living on dole, said,’If you don’t like the country, then GET out…maybe Asian should be with Asian.’…So this is the hardworking kiwi? living on dole and doesn’t even attempt to get a permanent job.
      6. At another interview, the director said,’Maybe Asian prefers to be fruit picker rather than working in key post’

      and the list goes on….

      • Here’s something else to think about though:
        Would you have verbally cut dead an Asian who pried about your private life or made such ridiculous comments?
        One of the reasons why people are emboldened to behave badly is because no-one calls them out on their boorishness.

      • I’d advise anyone looking for the quick job fix in Australia to be careful, and only make the move when a written offer is on the table. JUST the same for anyone looking for the quick job fix in NZ.
        As an example, it has become VERY difficult for accountants to secure a job even if they began and completed their studies in Australia.
        Uprooting your life is not something to be done willy-nilly.

30. I don’t think it really matters but I am a “Pakeha” .I attend a school in Wellington and the experiences some of you have shared has seriously shocked me and I personally would never stoop to such low actions as discriminating somebody based upon race. I have many Asian friends and none of this would be tolerated at my school, we regularly experience different cultures at assemblies during school where if you have a different background then it is something which is celebrated. New Zealand may have a problem but I can assure you it is far worse else where around the world, racism should not be tolerated anywhere but you cannot argue that there is no racism in every single nation (including Asia). I know of a friend who visited Japan where he was an outcast for a long time and was considered an ‘outsider’ because of his race. Look, NZ isn’t perfect but no where is perfect. Conflict is human nature.

    • “New Zealand may have a problem but I can assure you it is far worse else where around the world”

      And how does that make racism in New Zealand more tolerable? You have admitted you are shocked by what you’ve read, yet you fall into the trap of comforting yourself with the belief that these awful things are more tolerable because it’s so much worse somewhere else?

      How easily you dismiss the experiences of many people based on what you see in your school assemblies.

      Perhaps when you’ve finished school you’ll have the opportunity to see something of the world beyond Wellington. Stop defining yourself as pakeha, and call yourself a global citizen.

    • I have many Asian friends and none of this would be tolerated at my school, we regularly experience different cultures at assemblies during school where if you have a different background then it is something which is celebrated.
      The real racism happens after school … examples include getting a job, getting a date, access to the benefit, access to scholarships 🙂
      You know, when it comes to the chances of your building a life in NZ even when you completely grew up there.
      P.S. How many of your Asian friends are permanent residents or non-citizens? Reason I ask is because in game theory, there is this idea of “shadow of the future” – you are more likely to treat well, people that can be in contact with you regularly … because they can negatively affect your future prospects. Others get the shaft …

31. Wow. Obviously this is an issue that a lot of people have opinions on. Personally, I think racism isn’t exactly a societal issue, but one that concerns individuals. In an ideal world, when people take responsibility for their own words and actions, then racism wouldn’t exist because the only person you would be able to judge would be yourself.
    Of course, this ideal world doesnt exist. Yet.

    • In an ideal world, when people take responsibility for their own words and actions, then racism wouldn’t exist because the only person you would be able to judge would be yourself.
      In my opinion, generally people don’t take responsibility for themselves.
      However, we are not told the information that made them make those decisions. Lies are one of the reasons society breaks down, the others are lack of reciprocation and deceivers.
      In the real world, you cannot murder, steal or kidnap.
      But through the magic of the ballot box you can exercise those rights.
      Via war, inflation/taxation/confiscation(the only ways ANY government thus far works with money) and conscription.

      I’ve found that people who refuse to say racism is wrong …
      are generally either racist or want special (unearned) privileges for themselves out of proportion to their needs or ability.
      Besides, from a pragmatic point of view, pissing people off because of their skin colour may lose you opportunities.
      Then again, I am pretty sure you don’t go to a mechanic or a doctor because you like their fashion sense or whether they speak with an accent – you go there because you require their expertise, like their price or delivery time.
      To a very great extent, every interaction is a transaction.
      But to go back to pissing people off: of course, some people become pissed off when you speak the truth. They’d like the status quo to remain, where they benefit: Which is also why many liars get ahead. Oh well, reward the liar and earn the lie 🙂

32. Ps. My husband white original Kiwi but lots of time I found not just only Asian been abused but my husband too from same skin color or opposite. So sometimes I think not just Asian but look like everyone been abused from bad people here.

33. Thank you about this topic. it make me feel stronger in my heart. I live in NZ for 7 years I try to adapt and adopt to NZ environment but so hard that I have lots of time talk with my husband how to choose about leaving NZ or stay more another years. You know this topic mean lots for me to be patient to live in this country because we still be called family if I tell the truth I am not feel happy to live in NZ any more. I just wish and dream to going out as soon as I can. No place like home!

34. Don’t Worry— “What goes around Comes around”. Kiwis are already being prejudiced in Australia. Someday, their descendants will also be discriminated against. The world is changing. Most industrialized nations are faltering. Emerging economies are now mostly from third world countries. Someday them racists children and grandchildren will work for Asians, Latinos and Africans. So all you racists out there enjoy your racist tendencies now because payback will be in full in the future. BWAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!!!!! HAIL KARMA!!!!

35. I have spent ages reading lots of the comments, views and opinions shared here. some of them are alarming, distressing and worrying to say the least. there are definitely some valid and true points as well as some far fetched ones, but everyone is entitled to their own opinion and I respect that. I am half black and half white, not trying to be racist just saying it how it is, and I have experienced both sides of racism. I have grown up in both New Zealand and in the Pacific Islands. Being a halfcast woman I have experienced racism for not being fully black but then also for not being fully white either. racism is always a two way street and yes I will agree with some of you who say it is learned. I don’t believe we are born racist creatures but over time we experience, learn and encounter certain things that either make us racist towards others or have others be racist towards us. I learnt at a young age while at school about racism when a swastika was drawn on one of my belongings by a wee white fella. at the time i didn’t think much of it as I didn’t fully understand racism but i understood that it was to do with the colour of my skin. Still to this day I don’t think much of it because i know that that wee kid probably didn’t even realise what exactly he was drawing or the history behind that sign, he probably learnt it off someone else. I know what it feels like to be discriminated against because I am slightly dark but I also know what it feels like to be discriminated against because I am slightly white. I have been called nigger numerous times by white people but then have been almost looked down on by my own pacific people as I am not fully black. or even when other races look down on me as I am PI and immediately think that I am an underachiever, I’m lazy and can’t work hard, or won’t extend myself in learning and will just end up dropping out of school and having heaps of kids – all of these stereotypes but not always true! it is not always direct but at times subtle and indirect. But despite this i claim and am proud of both my New Zealand background and PI background. I do believe New Zealand has issues with racism but what country doesn’t??! every single nation, country, race, ethnic group etc has their own faults, their own mistakes and their own problems to deal with including racism, discrimination, prejudices and stereotypes which are all ugly truths. yes some groups of people experience more racism than others and that is extremely unfortunate but we must not forget at the end of the day we are all imperfect human beings living in the same world. as a half Kiwi I am protective of my country and hate seeing it being put down and bad mouthed by others, just as any patriotic citizen would. Generally I think NZ isn’t too racist, yea we have opinions about people and things but again who doesn’t??! I think it is at times a small minority of racists that give the rest of us Kiwis a bad name, we are actually good, friendly, down to earth people who get along with others from all walks of life, we aren’t all crazy, wack racists who go out of our way to hurt immigrants or those from other ethnicities!! I know we ain’t perfect but we aren’t as bad as others. I also think that one’s own perception of things can come into the equation as well. I have often thought when walking into a shop, or anywhere really, and I see the staff or another customer staring at me or the security’s eyes follow me round the shop, is that to do with the colour of my skin or is it do with maybe I have something on my face or maybe they think I’m a lil good lookin!?! 😉 nah but who knows what is going on in their brain, you might take it personally and think they are being racist or you might just shrug it off and keep shopping and not think much of it! at the end of the day I think it’s important to see someone first as a human being not their ethnic origin, their religion or beliefs, not their history and lastly “not judged by the colour of the skin but by the content of their character.” (Martin Luther King Jr.)

    • we aren’t all crazy, wack racists who go out of our way to hurt immigrants or those from other ethnicities!!
      Let me deconstruct this misguided notion.
      Assume you are in HR or the hiring manager at your company.
      Step 1. Resume lands on your desk – not a local-sounding name. Not a citizen either.
      Step 2. Place resume in trash.
      See, no need to go out of your way to hurt immigrants or those from other ethnicities, you are merely putting waste paper into the trash.
      That’s how people can be “racist without appearing to be racist”.

36. The government needs to take immigration seriously and apply tougher citizenship laws like in Switzerland where it takes 12 years to gain citenzenship by naturalisation. The other issue is the sky high home prices that is not helped by non resident Asians purchasing homes becaue they can i.e. there is no government law stopping them from buying our homes which is pushing up prices. An Asian Auckland professor has also given insight on how asain men in Cjina and Korea are expected to have a home no matter where is is in order to attract and marry Asian women – -so they choose NZ which is an easy target haven been driven away from other countries like Singapore where they have quickly introduce tas to prevent this nonsense.

    • Are you serious?

      And what about all the Kiwis returning home with their overseas earned wealth, buying up investment properties without the hindrance of stamp duty to moderate their spending?

      Thanks for showing our readers just how bad racism is in New Zealand.

    • The other issue is the sky high home prices that is not helped by non resident Asians purchasing homes becaue they can i.e. there is no government law stopping them from buying our homes which is pushing up prices.
      I know, it’s quite horrifying if someone from overseas can offer a price the seller can live with to get a house. And if you make it tough for those people to hang around (i.e. proper qualifications but no job) … why do you think they should stay given that they have no income?
      On the flip side, is there a breakdown of beneficiary recipients by ethnic community?

      An Asian Auckland professor has also given insight on how asain men in Cjina and Korea are expected to have a home no matter where is is in order to attract and marry Asian women – -so they choose NZ which is an easy target haven been driven away from other countries like Singapore where they have quickly introduce tas to prevent this nonsense.
      The stamp duty is only some percentage. You do know Singapore suffers from a land shortage, right? Manying Ip is that professor you are talking about.
      P.S. Maybe they wouldn’t need to buy houses if your local kiwi girls threw themselves at them. Something to think about 🙂 If you don’t want an overheated housing market on account of Asian men buying houses to be seen as a good prospect to Asian women … you could always – give them an alternative offer.
      P.P.S. NZ has sold 9 times more land to people from Liechtenstein than China. Have fun being racist … to people you can’t visually distinguish from the majority of the NZ-born.

37. Another point for those thinking about coming to NZ: if you are the sort of person who would go on internet forums to moan about the quality of NZ houses or anything else which Kiwis regarded as whinging, then you are the sort of person who would find NZ culture hard going and its people hard to make friends with.

38. I am white born in NZ , but my children are married to Asians. I’m sickened to read this web-page because so many posts are driven by bigoted hatred of white Kiwis and NZ culture. If you come into a tiny insular country like NZ and insult the people and the culture you will be perceived by the natives as invaders and destroyers. The whites whose families have lived here for generations are natives in a similar sense to Maori. They grew up in a relatively harmonious bicultural society , not a multicultural society. Understanding and respect form a two-way street. Do not come into NZ with a bolshy attitude and presume to teach NZers how to suck eggs.

39. I found this page by googling “racism new zealand” after reading an article about a white supremacist group from Christchurch, and must admit that I am shocked at the state of affairs in New Zealand based on the comments in this post. I was planning a vacation to the South Island in July, travelling around in a campervan – now I am genuinely concerned about my physical safety as an Asian tourist of Chinese descent. I’ve traveled to at least a dozen countries in Asia, North America and Europe and have only had racist abuse yelled at me from cars twice – once in Canada, and once in Croatia – and cannot imagine that it seems fairly common in New Zealand. It totally ruined my day, and I cannot imagine putting myself through the same distressing experience again.

    • http://www.stuff.co.nz/waikato-times/news/8583127/The-cost-of-looking-different-in-Hamilton
      Or you could just get charged double for entry into bars (among other things).
      Disclosure: I was never charged ANYTHING. On the flip side, I always went in a suit and tie.
      Heh … and always got carded (yay for the genes that keep you looking young). Eh, and I’m Asian too.

      • They are odd genes though. Asian people look super young forever and then BOOM overnight they look ANCIENT!
        It is almost like middle-age just never exist! One minute they are 40-ish and wrinkle free, next minute ALL wrinkles and ancient.
        It must be genes!

        • Racial profiling now? Stay classy Kelly, you’re a credit to your country.

          • Racial profiling? Seriously???

            I agreed with your comment!
            “the genes that keep you looking young). Eh, and I’m Asian too.”. YES THEY DO!!! But very old age looks great on Asians too.

            I just said that Asian people never look middle aged, They look young forever and then do VERY old soooo well!

            Racial profiling?
            Here is some “racial profiling” for you. I have noticed that most red heads are Scottish or Irish. I have noticed that most polynesians have curly hair. I have noticed that chinese people have black hair. I have noticed Australians have horrid accents.I have noticed that in my family woman are short and men are very tall.

            RACIAL PROFILING!!!!!!!!!!! You are ridiculous!

          • Did you learn that in a school assembly, or were you brought up to think this way?

        • Come on, if you’re going to rehash that tired reddit, at least include a link.
          Don’t be like those lazy students who write clever things without proper citation. That’s plagiarism and is academic misconduct.

          http://www.reddit.com/r/pics/comments/1eh0c6/this_woman_is_46_years_old/

          On the other hand there is also this:
          http://www.thegooddrugsguide.com/gallery/before-and-after-drug-abuse/crystal-meth-abuse/index.htm

          Stay off the drugs, mmmkay?

          • I had to ask my son what “reddit” is.

            After my first brief look, it looks like a place that takes far too much bullshit to learn bullshit.

            I made what I thought was a compliment to Asian skin because I wish I had skin like that! I’m 46, I need young skin!

            Just for the record the hardest drug I partake in is a Sav Blanc

          • When you’ve sobered up ask him what racism is.

    • My experience (on the assault side of things) was having things thrown at me from cars, and escaping from a skinhead group. So you might want to put in some gym time to keep up the stamina for a sudden run when you need it.

40. I can’t see why everyone can’t have a place, including racists. New Zealand was built by and for white people, specificly Brits. No one else has any right there. A place for everyone!

    • And yet so many British people get told they are “whining POMs”.
      You wouldn’t have let them into the country if they didn’t have the dollars NZ craved …

41. Interesting news bit:
    http://www.stuff.co.nz/business/industries/3026635/Bleak-outlook-without-immigration-Coleman
    Immigration contributes significantly to every New Zealander’s per capita income, new research shows.

    The Department of Labour’s International Migration Settlement and Employment Dynamics research showed that “without immigration, the outlook is bleak”, Immigration Minister Jonathan Coleman said.

    Without current levels of immigrants moving to New Zealand, the population would drop by 9.6 percent and gross domestic profit (GDP) by 11.3 percent by 2021.

    At the current 20,000 annual net flow, annual GDP would be an extra $28 billion by 2021.

    Double the number of immigrants, 40,000, would see GDP per capita rise 1.5 percent.

    Dr Coleman said government policy had to “continue to focus on economic gains from immigration”.

    … I don’t confuse immigration with integration as it’s obvious that the article does not talk about the value of diversity.
    What is interesting is that they left out contribution via originating region of migrants.
    Since this would create one of two implications, either that one section of migrants has a higher bar to cross or one section of migrants pays more for goods and services.

42. I came to NZ in my early teens, went to school and university there. Things were slightly different back then, since there weren’t that many eastern asians (chinese, koreans, japanese). But things were changing over time, more asians came in, most of us work hard, pay tax and make contribution to the society. However, I do have to point out that there are some that came in with tons of cash, and are ignorant, refused to learn the language. That’s probably where racism came from. Also as a small country, it is understandable that the flood of asian people do pose a thread, and insecurity.

    Had my own experiences of working in NZ for few years upon graduation. I noticed that there were hardly any asians at the top management level, many of us were just put into some bottom positions for years and years, regardless of our achievements. Not only the asians noticed that, but also my co workers from england, they told me that asian talents are much better treated and appreciated in the UK.

    For the past 5 years, I had lived in europe, did more studies and learned to speak more european languages. It is not uncommon to find educated people in europe speak at least four languages, which is a bit amusing that people get judged only by their english language skills in NZ. During these 5 years, I had never encountered any racism towards asian perhaps in the whitest countries possible. I love NZ, but not sure if I would ever come back any more.

43. I am off NZ now, and I’m pretty happy with it…Me and my family we experienced rasism, and bullying, in our jobs/schools, and everywhere…We are thankfull we are caucasians, because if we were Indians, or Chinese, it could be 100-times worse. We are Greeks, and we spend 4 years there, and we always had to deal with verbal abuse about our nationality because of Greece’s ecomonic problems and we are most dissapointed by the indifference of our children’s school, to help tackle the constant bullying they expecienced both from teachers and peers. We decided we rather come back than to stay in a country where public hospitals turn away foreigner workers like me, rents are unaffordable and houses are unsafe/ or of very low quality, and there is no antibullying law/procedure at school.
    I wish I knew better before moving to NZ, but now at least, I know how the true NZ looks like…

    • Just put up my story on Kelsey’s by mistake. Was going to write related with her, but changed my mind an wrote something else. And then, I found your message just now.

      You mentioned job searching at health care sector. Since i became so aware of the racism in NZ, I wonder how minorities are treated in health sector as patients.

      Anyway, I would like to wish you all the best for you and your family!

      I guess you go back to Greece? Then, at least you’ll be able to communicate with your native language and express yourself as much as you can! That will be so good!

      • Oh, I read wrong. You are already gone back to Greece! Hope everything is well there!

44. What is the point smiling at people when you actually do hate them ? oi ?

45. I moved to New Zealand ten years ago from South Africa as a 10 year old child. I came from a country that is often labelled as racist, (and it is!) although I always stood up for the indigenous African, Indian, Greek etc populations when they were racially attacked, even as a child I would not stand for racism.
    Then I moved to New Zealand.
    I was so shocked. People often think that racism only happens to people of colour, (and I’m not disputing that the majority of the time it does), but I am a caucasian (and one of the palest you could ever see at that). However, I was mocked, told to “go back to Africa”, I was mercilessly bullied because I was South African. And a lot of that mocking came from Caucasian AND Maori children. So it’s not like whites are the only ones who can be racist, which is often the stereotype, which is in itself racist..
    Basically, I had never, NEVER, seen such hatred from children towards a foreigner.
    And I’m from the Apartheid country. (Ironically, I was called a dirty racist purely because I was South African. Bit hypocritical if you ask me).
    I think it might also be because of a general lack of respect that is inforced in New Zealand (don’t get me wrong, I love my adopted country). But I had never been around children who so openly disrespected each other and even the teachers. There language was atrocious, and they had absolutely no care for others. Eventually I made friends with a group of other immigrants from China and Korea, as we were all mercilessly bullied, and found comfort in our mutual situations.

    • Eventually I made friends with a group of other immigrants from China and Korea, as we were all mercilessly bullied, and found comfort in our mutual situations.
      There’s something really weird about a situation where teachers can’t perform their responsibilities to make the learning environment as non-disruptive as possible.
      I’d add that’s not a surprise because I noticed those taking that course were after a soft-touch degree and seemed to have very flexible ethics. It also doesn’t help that many children and teachers know the rule of “no blood, no foul”. Relational aggression is a common bullying tactic since bruises can’t be explained away.

    • My friend who emigrated from England (Asian) with her English husband and children went back to England. They stayed here for 2 years and the problem started from her son’s first school. He was bullied as ‘nigger’, she went to school to talk about it with his teacher. Her response was using nigger was nothing wrong in New Zealand. She was appalled by the response and in the end she pulled her son out of the school.

      My own experience observing a school reading class. I visited a Catholic primary school (NZ catholic school is not a private school) with my daughter. An older female teacher was talking about books. While she was talking, she mentioned ‘negro’ became president in the USA. That must have been in 2008, I guess when Obama was elected. She didn’t show any emotions, but simply put the word ‘negro’ 3 times. There was no explanation about the historic event. The kids were about 10 or 11. There were some Indian, Asian kids as well.

      I asked a couple of people whether the term ‘negro’ is okay to use in New Zealand. One woman told me, yes. It seems the word came back to use these days. Obviously in her friend’s circle they use it. Other people said ‘no’. Definitely not in classroom!

      Is Negro okay and Nigger bad?

      Could the teacher at my friend’s son’s school defended other students who bullied him ‘nigger’ as not ‘bullying’ because ‘negro’ is okay to use?

      I remember even a minister using the word ‘negro’ in a normal conversation.

      Anyway, I observed a teacher who was not happy with Obama’s win at all and told her kids ‘negro’. I could tell she was not amused about the historic event.

      My friend went back to England with not so good memory of New Zealand people.

      • ::”My friend who emigrated from England (Asian) with her English husband and children went back to England. They stayed here for 2 years and the problem started from her son’s first school. He was bullied as ‘nigger’, she went to school to talk about it with his teacher. Her response was using nigger was nothing wrong in New Zealand”

        I am 45 yrs old and have NEVER heard the term “nigger” used in my life,,,with the exception of American movies and songs.

        I would not be surprised if it was a term used by teenager who have adopted that language from TV and movies but I would be very quick to ensure that American crap language is not acceptable to most adult kiwis. My son is 21 and I have never heard him use language like that (his best friend from 12 yrs old is originally from Hong Kong)

        ” My own experience observing a school reading class. I visited a Catholic primary school (NZ catholic school is not a private school) with my daughter”

        Catholic schools are absolutely private schools…..being Catholic is a condition of enrolment!

        . “An older female teacher was talking about books. While she was talking, she mentioned ‘negro’ became president in the USA. That must have been in 2008, I guess when Obama was elected. She didn’t show any emotions, but simply put the word ‘negro’ 3 times. There was no explanation about the historic event. The kids were about 10 or 11. There were some Indian, Asian kids as well”

        My mother is 70 this year, she also talked about Obama as a ‘Negro”. Negro was the term that her generation was taught as ‘correct’. My mum would have NEVER used the term ‘nigger’ and felt using the term ‘black’ was wrong. So she reverted to ‘Negro’.

        It must be the cultural divide to think that talking the Black American President (or calling him a Negro) could in anyway be thought of to describe anyone BUT an American.

        • My mother is 70 this year, she also talked about Obama as a ‘Negro”. Negro was the term that her generation was taught as ‘correct’. My mum would have NEVER used the term ‘nigger’ and felt using the term ‘black’ was wrong. So she reverted to ‘Negro’.
          Just say “of African lineage/descent”. Is that too hard a definition to get accustomed to?

46. Ah, time for a good old racist gathering from the Right Wing Resistance (it’s a yearly gathering apparently) in Christchurch.
    http://www.stuff.co.nz/the-press/news/8457819/Counter-protest-against-racism

    “Anti-racism is code for anti-white”
    My rebuttal:
    When were Caucasian people forbidden to enter Asian countries?
    Where was the head tax for them?

47. The Kiwis in this country think their superior, but actually the foreigners are keeping this island afloat- the Chinese rule New Zealand. Learn to respect your new bosses.

    • New Zealand was founded on egalitarian principles. Learn them and embrace them.

48. I am a Kiwi of Maori decent and it is sad to hear the comments on here about New Zealand being a labelled racist country, intolerant of the migrants and people not of a mainstream NZ background. By mainstream I think it is fair to say of mostly Pakeha origin, a term which was never used as a derogatory term for most NZ Europeans (Origin: Pakepakeha = Ghostly or Supernatural, Pakehakeha = Gods in the forms of man or animal).
    I will say however that the comments are pretty well justified and as a Maori who has just moved from Home to live in Australia, I find that I am being better treated here. Even Pakeha living in OZ treat you better probably taking subliminal cues from there Ozzy mates. I wouldn’t say that Ozzys aren’t racist though as they really despised the Aboriginal people of Australia.
    I hear of Asians and Indians being the most discriminated against back home but I’ve gotta say add Maori to that mix too. The difference being that Maori have a tendency to make their issues heard more often and, as a result – unlike the Asians, Indians and other minorities – are probably the most despised ethnic minority in New Zealand. You hear about protests where we are fighting for land, fighting to be recognised in this country, fighting to keep our identity as Maori, and fighting to keep that identity as Maori as possible considering that a lot of our language and culture had been beaten out of my Grandparents generations and were too scared to pass their language and culture on to the next.
    A lot of the immigrants that come to NZ are lucky in that their cultures and languages are preserved in their own countries, are mainstream mostly and are not endangered as ours was once and is still critical.
    I will agree too that Maori compared to 30 odd years ago are a bit more racist than what they used to be but mainly towards Pakeha, and more of a political nature than one of colour creed etc.
    Immigrants are hard to accept especially for westernised countries because they are seen as a threat to the status quo in a particular country. That is until those not of a mainstream majority stand up and become counted and change that status quo. Ask Mr Obama (President of USA) or even Meng Foon (Mayor of Gisborne New Zealand), or Sir Anand Satyanand (Governor General, New Zealand). This doesn’t always mean blending in, sometimes you have to be unique, even if it does piss some people off. People will learn to respect, accept, or at least tolerate you eventually. Other than that just ignore the crap and fight to dispell the generalisations that people use because they are too arrogant or ignorant to know that people are different no matter what their skin colour or ethnic background.
    Example: I have an Asian brother in law and he is not your typical Asian. He hates maths, is not a lawyer, or computer technician and is not rich. But he is very frugal with money. I guess somethings you never lose.

49. I visited this site again knowing that there are people who talk about this. I can’t talk about this issue often with my family. I do not want to hurt or make my children aware of racism too much. One teenage and one at uni.

    My husband did not agree with me that there is racism in NZ against Asian until one day he saw how I was treated right in front of him at a bar.

    We never spoke about this, but I noticed that later when I mentioned how I was treated by service people, he didn’t deny it at all, but just listened and agreed uncomfortably.

    I was just about to order my drink, and the staff looked at me, but quickly asked to the right next person from me. And she never got back to me. So, I waited and waited until another friendly white (seemingly European- accent) staff served me. That was for the first time my husband saw it from behind me.

    Previously, I even had to defend myself from my husband defensive ‘no racism’ by service people, I felt so sad that I couldn’t get his support.

    It was not easy for me to accept that that was ‘racism’, because it hurt my ego that I am treated that way. That’s the reason I didn’t want to tell my children or initially even to my husband. Because, I felt like I was second citizen, and I am a 2nd citizen in NZ. I accept that and my anger is still there.

    • I do not want to hurt or make my children aware of racism too much. One teenage and one at uni.
      If your child gets into trouble as a result of a lecturer making a false accusation please don’t let that wrongdoer get away.
      As to your child becoming aware of racism, if they’re male they’ll wake up to it fast enough when they don’t get a date to the prom or have rumours spread about them relating to a derogatory stereotype.
      If female, they might hear “Me love you long time”.
      Whatever you do, please don’t believe “sit down, be quiet, do your work” will resolve that bullying.
      Being a “model minority” also means that you are discouraged from behaving in the way the majority does when angry. Think about that…

50. Many of the money sucking social programs that National is now faced with maintaining and funding were put in place by the Labour government of “Uncle” Helen Clark.
    It would be dishonest to not include the more than decade of implementation of liberal socialist ideology.

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