India Calls NZ To Account For Racial Slur. New Zealanders Support Paul Henry On Facebook

Reuters India has today announced that India has summoned New Zealand’s High Commissioner so that it can protest against the racial slur that a TVNZ presenter made against Shiela Dikshit -  chief minister of New Delhi. India’s capital city (see videos below)

“…India says popular TV host deliberately mispronounced and ridiculed the second name of Sheila Dikshit, who has been in the news after being asked last month to take charge of the floundering Commonwealth Games preparations.
New Zealand High Commissioner Rupert Holborow was called in by the Indian foreign ministry and handed a demarche, a formal protest.
“It was conveyed to him that the government strongly and unequivocally denounces the racist remarks of the journalist in question,” a foreign ministry statement said.
“These remarks are totally unacceptable to India,” the statement said, adding that the envoy had expressed “deep regret”…”

The report ended with

“Later, New Zealand High Commissioner Holborow said in a statement that the TV comments were “culturally insensitive, inappropriate and vulgar”.
“They reflect the views of only one media commentator (who has already been censored for other racist and unacceptable comments), and certainly not the New Zealand Government or people,” he said.
There are more than 100,000 New Zealanders of Indian ethnic origin, almost 3 percent of the population, the second largest immigrant group in New Zealand from Asia after China.”

National NZTV host Paul Henry was recently described as a “serial offender” who had  “abused women, people of colour, gay people, people with disabilities and all migrant Kiwis who don’t look like him” in a press release issued by Unite Union and Global Peace and Justice Auckland.

Their statement said thatit was “not a case of a broadcaster exercising free speech” but that of a “broadcaster legitimizing bigotry and hatred in the community.”
The press release added:

Unite Union National Director Mike Treen says as a union leader he doesn’t call for someone’s dismissal lightly. “However Paul Henry legitimizes racism and bigotry in the workplace. I deal every day with problems associated with managers and even co-workers abusing staff because the look or sound different. Workers can end up tormented and bullied out of their jobs by the so-called humour being practiced by Paul Henry. When we try to do something about it, when we try to protect the workers, the inevitable response is ‘well, Paul Henry is allowed to use this language on national TV why can’t I. Paul Henry has become the poster boy for bigotry. He has no place on a national broadcaster paid for by taxpayers – taxpayers who include many of the people he humiliates.”

Henry was suspended recently following a furore caused by racist comments the presenter made on air in questions to New Zealand prime minister John Key when he asked if New Zealand Governor General Sir Satyanand Anand (born in NZ of Indo Fijian descent)

“Are you going to choose a New Zealander who looks and sounds like a New Zealander this time? Are we going to go for someone who is more like a New Zealander this time?“

Mr Henry was initially supported in a media statement issued by Andi Brotherston, spokeswoman for  the state broadcaster TVNZ:

“”The audience tell us over and over again that one of the things they love about Paul Henry is that he’s prepared to say the things we quietly think but are scared to say out loud.
“The question of John Key is the same, we want the answer but are too scared to ask.”

In a later ‘leaked’ email Ms Brotherston made an apology for her statement and offered to resign but her request was turned down.

Mr Hery also made an apology, of sorts:

“I sincerely apologise to the Governor-General, Sir Anand Satyanand for any offence I may have caused. I am aware that Sir Anand has made an outstanding contribution to New Zealand.
“Anyone who knows anything about me will know I am a royalist, a constant defender of the monarchy and the role the Governor-General plays in our society.
“If my comments have personally offended Sir Anand, I regret it deeply.”

But his apology was not made until almost 4pm (NZDT) on the day of the offence, a  long time  after the comments began to attract condemnation from politicians and other public figures, including Mr Key, Labour’s leader Phil Goff and the race relations commissioner Joris de Bres.

He has yet to apologise in person to either Sir Anand, or Sheila Dikshit.

A few weeks ago Paul Henry accepted the New Idea People’s Choice Award at the Qantas Film & Television Awards, so large numbers of the viewing public in New Zealand obviously love him and share his sentiments, which they simply view as “un PC”. Perhaps this is the reason why TVNZ dare not sack him, his ratings are far too high for them to risk it.

On 6 October the NZ Fiji Club released a statement which said that Mr Henry’s token suspension was “a joke” and cited the insults that had been made to both Sir Anand and Ms Dikshit.

At last – the ugly truth is out about racism in New Zealand and how ‘small town’ the country really is. No matter how long one has lived in the country, and regardless of the contribution one has made to society, the message is if you look different you can never be a true New Zealander.

In February the Broadcasting Complaints Authority declined to uphold a complaint about controversial television presenter Paul Henry saying homosexuality was unnatural.

“It is unnatural, although homosexuality is through all species”
“I don’t know if it’s through all species but many, many species. A lot of monkeys are homosexual.”

Facebook Groups Supports Henry

5,614 people have ‘liked’ the facebook page “TVNZ sucks for suspending Paul Henry,” voicing their support for the disgraced TV presenter. Their comments seem to contradict the New Zealand High Commissioner’s assertion that Paul Henry’s remarks do not reflect the views of the NZ people.

Adrian Hancock They take it way to seriously. You can racially slur so long as you aint serious.

Brent Standen Good on you Paul for just saying what everyone thinks. Dont change, we love it
Phil Brandford this country is going overboard with all this pc bullshit, bring back paul

Tanya Priest Dikshit lolz i thought Everyone found that funny not just the majority?

Carly Banks God hes only saying what were all thinking!

Ashley Vazey We live in one of the most racist counties in the world if you really think about it. Calling ourselves multi cultural is identifying that we are made up of different races. If everybody was treated the same there would be no privileges or exeptions. No special grants or privillages based on your race and everybody would speak one language. Everyone in nz is from an immigrant history somewhere in their family tree. Paul, good on you for getting everyone to talk about this.

Guntram Gross Yes, Paul stands for the freedom of free speech. There are to many cowards out there that rather shit themselves, than saying what they are thinking. Nobody should have any disadvantages because they speak their mind. Breakfast is nothing without Paul. If you try to get rid of all the people who make so called racist remarks in this country than you will have to deport about halfe the country.It is always subject to interpertation and the way you are looking at these comments. It makes me sick how people abuse the power of the word.

Angela Given It seems to me that alot of politicians are allowed to make racist remarks (that are not intended to be funny) , and you don’t see them getting suspended…TV NZ are just trying to make an example of him!!!! TV NZ Sucks!!

“Bridget Cliff no he isnt why cant people handle when someone actually for once speaks the bloody truth get over it nothing better to do than complain and cause shit sad people he is hilerious he is himself and he says what we all thinking anyway

Heidi Tanner Paul Henry is NOT racist. He is simply stating fact and speaking for those who are too afraid.

New Zealand’s Video Wall of Shame:









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Asians Attacked In Riccarton Rampage

A number of Asian people were attacked attacked by a knife wielding robber in the Riccarton suburb of Christchurch :

"A knife-wielding man attempted to rob five Asian people as he went on a 30 minute rampage in Upper Riccarton, police say.
Brett Allan King, 21, of Upper Riccarton, faced five charges of trying to obtain money with menaces and one of robbery with a knife when he appeared in Christchurch District Court this morning.
Detective sergeant Scott Anderson, of Christchurch South Police, said between 7.15pm and 7.45pm on Saturday King threatened five Asian people in shops and a car park and tried to steal their money.
He successfully robbed one person in a shop, but it was not clear how much was stolen, said Anderson.   Judge Stephen Erber remanded King in custody to reappear on May 31."

Our thoughts go out to his victims, who must have been shaken by their ordeal, we hope none of them were injured.Christchurch has a bad reputation for racially motivated attacks, see our blog post :

Japanese Students attacked at Christchurch Bus Stop, 26 Feb 2010:

“There’s a report in today’s The Press, detailed on Stuff.co.nz telling the shocking story of how two Asian students were subjected to aggression and an unprovoked attack by a gang of skinheads in Christchurch (watch the video report here)…

..It would seem that Christchurch isn’t a great place to be, for either visitors or locals. In August of last year a Fijian student was injured in a racist attack at Linwood College, his mother said that she had spoken the other parents in the Indian community and their children had been bullied too. Her son had also been taunted with names like “curry chicken“, “black Indian” and “Indian boy.” The family moved to NZ to escape the violence of Suva.

Christchurch has recently earned itself the dubious title of ‘Murder Capital Of New Zealand’ which was re-inforced after the death of a 62 year old widow was brutally murdered in her own home a week ago.

This most recent assault has drawn a fair amount of contempt from the readers of Stuff who are very eager to talk about the issue of racism in Christchurch, allegedly a “haven for Neo-Nazis due to the lack of competition from other gangs” (see below) You may remember that a few days ago we spoke of how police in New Zealand still don’t/won’t collect data on racially motivated crimes, it is very hard to know the true extent of this problem both in Christchurch and throughout the country.”…”

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Racial Bullying WAS A Factor In Hamilton Girls’ High School Knife Incident

A security guard at the school and her husband have confirmed to the press that racial taunting and bullying may have been factors that led to a girl bringing a knife into school and threatening people.

The security guard had taken time off work following the incident and was said to be distraught because the girl had been bullied over her family. It is thought that the girl was an immigrant from Iraq whose father had died recently.

For the  background to this story and an account of New Zealand’s appalling record of bullying  and “culture of brutality” please see our blog entry “Knife incident at Hamilton Girls’ High School linked to bullying“

From Belinda Feek in the Waikato Times:

“A Hamilton Girls’ High School pupil who allegedly chased another girl with a knife may have been the victim of race-based taunting by a group of Indian students.
Stephen Hawkins, whose wife Linda is a security guard at the school, said the alleged taunting had been simmering for some time and his wife had feared tensions would escalate.
“It was a race-based kind of stand-off involving (a group of) Indian girls.”
The school went into lockdown for 15 minutes just after 11am on Thursday after a 15-year-old student chased another pupil with a knife.
Mr Hawkins said the girl was found with three knives in her possession which she had bought from The Warehouse during the morning break.
The Year 11 pupil was arrested by police.
The girl appeared in Hamilton Youth Court yesterday on charges of assault and threatening to kill.
Mr Hawkins said the girl bought the knives during morning break after a confrontation earlier between a group of her friends and a group of Indian girls.
“This girl that had the knife had been bullied by the girls,” he said.
“It had been coming for some time and my wife thought that something would happen,” Mr Hawkins said.
He praised both the actions of the school and his wife, who had calmed the girl down and recovered a third knife from her before taking her to the principal’s office and sitting with her while waiting for police.
Mrs Hawkins had felt the effects of the incident, he said and had taken yesterday off work.
She was distraught because the student had allegedly been bullied over her family.
Mr Hawkins said he that felt for the accused student but did not condone her actions.”

Also see posts tagged Racism

Justin Bieber Gets A 'Kiwi Welcome'

Poor Justin Bieber, within minutes of arriving in New Zealand he became a victim of theft – someone stole his hat; then his mama got knocked over! Perhaps someone should’ve warned him about the predators before he left Australia?

He wrote on his twitter page

“AUSTRALIA…i want to say thank you for the most incredible welcome. I wont ever forget it and i cant wait to come back soon and perform”

“and yes I got to see a wombat”

“Finally got to New Zealand last night. The airport was crazy. Not happy that someone stole my hat and knocked down my mama. Come on people”

“I want to be able to sign and take pics and meet my fans, but if you are all pushing security wont let me. let’s keep it safe and have fun”

“other than that…IM IN NEW ZEALAND!! THEY GOT NO PREDATORS IN THE WHOLE COUNTRY!! I AM THE MOST DANGEROUS CREATURE HERE!!”

The NZ Herald covered his arrival but there was no statement saying that ‘his bad experience hadn’t put him off our wonderful country and he plans to see more of it during his stay‘

What Kiwis think
Our readers may find it very interesting to see what the laconic Kiwis said about his visit by reading this thread on the Trademe Community Boards, you may notice a lack of regret over the incident, a touch of racism and that infamous tall poppy syndrome (Bieber fans may wish to look away at this point and Kiwis hang their heads in shame)

Justin Bieber not happy with New Zealand – the girls at the airport, stole his hat, and knocked over his mum

• They were on the radio this morning – thought they were so cool.
• who thought they were cool???
• I tease my daughter that I think his name should be Justine Bieber.
• What a girl!!!!!!!!!!!!Did he through himself on the floor kicking and screaming having a huge tanty likes other kids of that age do when their not happy?
• Bieber is what happens when you tell your boy they’re awesome on a daily basis.
• shows how the media machine has the next generation exactly where they want them, until yesterday it was ‘Justin who??’, ppl have mentioned the Beatles having the same effect but they took years to get where they were & were also good musicians not just media hype blow-ups.

• Hahahahahaha that is what it sounds like on the radio, this morning the were talking about him and I thought the DJ said to some guy who has called in ‘so are you into beaver’

I was like WTF?? Then I realised they were talking about the Canadian twerp.

• I agree…those girls are acting like lunatics over him.
• I hope someone tells Justin that he has a black man trapped inside his body sometime soon ;o)
• I hope someone tells Obama he does too.. he might not know

• Not black man, Black boy and a little one at that heheh, had to laugh my girls like him and I think he looks like a bubby boy…they mentioned something about giving him jandals (ed. flip flops or thongs) but they didn’t know what size he was..I shot out,oh that’s easy size 2 infants…got the oh mum after

• biebers not happy???? OH BOO FREAKIN HOO

• Makes you wonder if we need classes in ettiquette and good manners………this place is going to the dogs.
• “Going”? It’s already there! Been there for years.

• gawd just saw his arrival on the news again, everytime i see it, i feel sicker and sicker. When he is coming through the airport and he shakes his hair, what is he doing, trying to spread his nits through the crowd and what about the young girl that stole his hat, she has openly admitted she grabbed it off his head, shoved it down her shirt and ran, so now they have a confession, will she now be charged with theft?? One of the most pathetic things i have seen in a long time, this guy will be a few hit wonder and then he will be gone, in one way or another, jeepers he looks about 7 not 16.

• Oh there’s a lot of negativity in this country and other undesirable cultural traits like tall poppy syndrome and indifference…wish we were a bit cocky like Americans and Aussies and had a bigger opinion of ourselves, it wouldn’t go a miss.

• but justin is CANADIAN???
• if he was at school when i was, everone would have beat him….. bloody lil nancy twat!

• i reckon if he was asked to sing with AC/DC, he would run a mile like a scared little rat, no class at all, won’t be long before he is yesterday’s news

For background see posts tagged “Violent crime“, “Racism in NZ” , “Migrants’ Tales – NZ a more dangerous, more violent place” and “ NZ's Tall poppy syndrome“

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Discrimination Against Asians Still A Key Issue In New Zealand - Updated

Asian New Zealanders and international students continue to experience racial discrimination and harassment, according to a report released by Race Relations Commissioner Joris de Bres.

It seems that discrimination has increased over the last year (perhaps this is a result of a 'kiwis first' mentality during the recession?) with Asians being the most discriminated against. Overall around 10% of New Zealanders experienced discrimination and it looks like police still don't collect data on racially motivated crimes:

"Public perceptions of discrimination against ethnic groups, and particularly Asians, have increased in the past 12 months. Two-thirds of survey respondents nominated an ethnic group when asked who they thought was most discriminated in New Zealand, and 28 per cent identified Asians. In a further question, when given a list of 14 named groups to choose from, 75 per cent identified Asians as the most discriminated against.

The 2009 Statistics New Zealand general social survey also asked questions about discrimination. The survey showed 10 per cent of New Zealanders experienced discrimination. The most common grounds were race, ethnic group or skin colour, and Asians experienced the most discrimination.

Examples of discrimination and harassment regularly heard by the Commission included discrimination in employment, verbal abuse (often shouted from people in cars), having water bombs and eggs thrown at them, abuse by neighbours, rubbish being tipped over the fence, damage to property and cars, bullying in schools, and harassment in the workplace.

“This type of behavior is not carried out by the majority of New Zealanders, but it is common and everyone needs to help put a stop to it,” said Mr de Bres.

Mr de Bres made five recommendations for addressing the situation:

    * Encouraging people to share stories of discrimination, harassment and abuse (in the workplace, education sector, health sector and communities).

    * Countering the relatively high incidence of discrimination against Asian New Zealanders, through government, businesses, school and community action.

    * Ensuring the safety of international students, including effective reporting mechanisms, through the education sector, police and local government action.

    * Police collection of data on racially motivated crime, as recommended by the United Nations Periodic Review of New Zealand and the UN Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination.

    * Formally welcoming and acknowledging international students and temporary migrant workers in communities (for example, at Race Relations Day events).

The review of racial discrimination and harassment forms part of the Commission’s annual Race Relations Report, which will be released in Auckland on 11 March."

In November we talked about how the Maori party Co-vice president Heta Hingston said a lot of racism in New Zealand was covered up:  

"racism ... in New Zealand, is covert. Very few of the ardent anti-Maori, anti-Islander, anti-Asian front up... (the secrecy) is the worst part about racism that is rife in New Zealand. There are so many good Pakehas being tarred with the brush of those other racists that is all hidden."

Which is why police need to start collecting data on racially motivated crimes.

And in September we covered a Press report that everyday 'race hate' is rife in places like Christchurch. At that time  Joris de Bres said race-hate crimes were a problem not just in Christchurch but around the country and were occurring more often than was reported to police:

  "It's becoming more and more urgent for police to gather data of racial abuse. The Government does agree but has said it's not a priority. People needed to report their experience and schools needed a culture of tolerance and respect, he said."

Well his words have been proven to be true, incidents of racial discrimination have continued to increase. Perhaps the government should now give this issue priority and stop worrying about what it will do to New Zealand's international reputation, or the crime figure?


Update 
The report was released as scheduled on 11 March 2010 and Lincoln Tan of the Herald covered the story:

"The Human Rights Commission says racial discrimination and harassment in New Zealand is worrying.

In the annual Race Relations Report released today, the commission says it received 1253 race-related complaints and inquiries last year, which is "significantly higher" than in previous years.
Complaints related to race accounted for 55.4 per cent of all discrimination approaches.
"Data on racial discrimination and harassment from 2009 are a cause for concern," said Race Relations Commissioner Joris de Bres.

Also on the rise is public perceptions of discrimination against ethnic minorities, especially Asians...

There was an interesting snippet about the plight of people on temporary work permits, demonstrating that they are still being affected by 'jobs for kiwis' policies:

"Nearly one in three Maori and Pacific youth were unemployed at the end of 2009. People on temporary work permits were also affected by the recession, as their permits were not extended," Mr de Bres said." read the article

For blog posts about Racism in New Zealand please click HERE,

See Also:  Malaysian tour group subjected to racism in Arrowtown.

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The Oscars. Avatar, Precious Or Hurt Locker?

And the nominees for Best Picture are:

• Avatar” James Cameron and Jon Landau, Producers
• “The Blind Side” Gil Netter, Andrew A. Kosove and Broderick Johnson, Producers
• “District 9” Peter Jackson and Carolynne Cunningham, Producers
• “An Education” Finola Dwyer and Amanda Posey, Producers
• “The Hurt Locker” Kathryn Bigelow, Mark Boal, Nicolas Chartier and Greg Shapiro, Producers
• “Inglourious Basterds” Lawrence Bender, Producer
• “Precious: Based on the Novel ‘Push’ by Sapphire” Lee Daniels, Sarah Siegel-Magness and Gary Magness, Producers
• “A Serious Man” Joel Coen and Ethan Coen, Producers
• “Up” Jonas Rivera, Producer
• “Up in the Air” Daniel Dubiecki, Ivan Reitman and Jason Reitman, Producers

Our money is on the Hurt Locker, it was a hard choice Precious is a serious contender too, we like both very much.

For those films with NZ twist: Avatar's story is that of the indigenous Americans and has been told before but this time there are confusing NZ icons and Chinese Islands. It's great to see District 9 up there though, 'Alien' adaptation issues: belonging, social inclusion and tolerance for those who are different is something that will strike a chord with the diaspora of many countries currently suffering from the effects of racism and xenophobia.

See Also: 'The Cove wins best documentary' Link
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"Top 5 Things Wrong With New Zealand"

In the Vox Pop series we look at posts from around the web where people talk honestly about living in New Zealand.

For anyone wanting to get a feel for good old grass root opinions and issues in New Zealand you can't go far wrong by logging on to the message boards at the NZ auction site Trademe.

Here's a thread that was started on Wednesday about a topic that's always guaranteed to get a good response. It drew the usual righteous indignation and denial, some people obviously didn't understand the question and launched into what was right with NZ. However there were some who were capable of developing the theme further.

We picked up a distinct dissatisfaction with the justice system's ability to deal effectively with crime, tax payers fed up with supporting a benefits culture, concerns over child welfare issues, problems with home affordability and New Zealand still being a country that's divided on race with a lot of work to do to sort out both bigotry and racism.

Here's the opening question:

Top 5 things wrong with New Zealand

"ATTN: If you are not capable of intelligently adding to this thread, then please refrain from doing so.

1. Housing prices.
Thank you former governments of NZ for creating a situation conducive to creating over investment in the housing market, and making investment in the productive sector unappealing.

2. Cannabis Laws.
Let's direct needed resources away from tackling P, and concentrate it on tackling Cannabis. What do I hear you saying? "You can't legalize Cannabis!" "It's bad!" Let me break it down for the people who believe Cannabis should remain illegal (including cannabis dealers). There is not an army of NZer's waiting to smoke it, but don't because it's illegal. OK! People smoke it regardless of the law. Legalizing it would put Cannabis dealers out of business, free up resources to tackle P, reduce the amount of people in prison, increase tax revenue as Cannabis could then be sold commercially under the same restrictions of alcohol, and most importantly allow hemp to be grown on large scales across the country creating jobs, and allowing NZ to produce super eco-friendly hemp products for global export.

3.Maori party.
What's next? A Chinese party? An Indian party? Why not break all parties down to ethnicities and give them a fixed % of the vote!

4. NZ's unwillingness to adequately police our EEZ, which is the 5th largest in the world according to Wikipedia. Who needs a military down in Ol' New Zealand. Australia will pay for our part of the cheque. They're good like that.

5. The quality of television these days. Or am I one of the exceptions to the rule in regards to the lowest common denominator?"

(EEZ = exclusive economic zone, 200 miles out from shore around nz)"

Here are some responses from people who were able to contribute as required:

"The Justice Systems SUCKS, protects the law breakers more than the poor victims"

"NZ's animal welfare laws need changing.. big time!
So losers that abuse animals are not just 'slapped over the arse with a wet bus ticket' !"

"1)Benefit culture
2) Treaty as a founding document and psuedo constitution
3)MMP system
4)Overseas ownership of land and industry
5)Free trade agreements that kill local production
and just for good measure...
6)Letting in migrants like Afghans,Thais and Africans whose culture is totally foreign to the existing one"

"For me the top one is getting rid of "working for families" huge drain on the tax coffers. I know of people getting over $500 a week from working for families with only one parent working and only paying tax on that one income at $500 per week for one family its taking at least two working people's tax to pay that. The rest of us that have worked hard, saved our money, brought up our kids without government help are now penalised. In our day you got married, saved your money, made a concious decision as to when you could afford a family and got no outside assistance. Nowdays you are literally being paid to breed. Whilst our elderly who had none of these benefits and our geuinally sick people are getting next to nothing to live on."

"1)political corectness
2)benefit culture
3)weak prison sentencing laws
4)govt too gutless to tame housing market & make productive investments more attractive
5)too much business influence in education"

"In my opinion THE worst thing about NZ is the extremely low value we place on the lives of our children. The Justice, Police and Welfare systems are quite clearly not cutting it. Family Court make judgements/orders that are never enforced. The Police don't respond to 111 calls and Social Workers seem indifferent to keeping our children safe. Never mind how much we have to pay to buy a house.......how about protecting the new generation of NZ."

"1 victim mentality
2 crime
3 benefit dependancy
4 child abuse
5 people who cannot handle other people doing well
6 people who tune in to wiifm what is in it for me"

"1.) high crime rate, poor victim support and protection. also, poor justice system. we need tougher penalties for crimes. a life sentence should be a life sentence, not 12 years or whatever it is here.
2.) so much child abuse and neglect.
3.) military don't seem to be prepared for anything. in all honesty, what would happen if we were attacked? would we be able to fight back?
4.) agree with insanityplus about police not responding to 111 calls. called 3 times for the police, was even hung up on twice. police turned up about 3 hours later when someone down the road called them...
5.) i agree with you 100% about the maori party #1. it's sad that after all these years we still find the need to be divided."

"1. Racism and other assorted bigotry.
2. Laziness, lack of work ethic, 'half-assed is good enough' attitude.
3. Envy of anyone who is successful/rich/attractive.
4. Obsession with mindless sport at the expense of art/science etc.
5. Dumbing down of education and discouraging competition."

"racism
troughing MPs
relaxed sentencing
corrupt judges
giving addicts the benefit"

"Kyliekyliekylie's top 5 things wrong with New Zealand
*these arent in any specific order, they are the first things that pop into my head - i could go on - and its just my opinion.*
1 The average NZ person has no idea of the actual history of this country. There is no patriotism - NZ'ers consantly argue about the Treaty, one nation, land issues etc. I dont see how a country can be so unsure about its own history! Someone get it right and lets honour it!
2 Our media... one eyed, biased and gossipy, where have all the good, meaty journo's gone???
3 The Cannibus debate... Alcohol vs Cannibus... look at the stats people, look at the stats....
4 Constantly comparing ourselves to Australia.... What about Denmark?? Voted Worlds Most Happiest People!!!
5 Our Government... who's got all night??? "

"1/ pc crap = more rules so reduce govt spending = low taxes
2/ One race country = kiwi no matter what colour
3/ No acc for sporting injuries - ie get ya own insurance
4/ No petrol tax on vehicles under 1300cc
5/ Arm police and treat car conversion as grand thief auto"

"1. The pseudo-macho culture that blokes build around rugby/Ford/Holden/beer and the dopey Jackass mentality.
2. TV that is basically a commercial delivery service, punctuated occasionally by 8 minutes of irritating lowest-common-denominator programs.
3. A limp-wristed welfare system that disincentivizes the indolent from paying their own way.
4. Kiwi fixation with mediocre Kiwi music. Sure, you get the odd really good piece, but for the most part highly overrated. Kiwi acts even automatically get 4 stars in the Herald CD reviews....
5. Bad driving habits: indicating at the last minute, pulling out in front of you and crawling along, speeding up in overtaking lanes, lack of awareness of and consideration for other road users.
Bonus 6. a political system that fawns over an overindulged minority who are never content with anything."

"1. Our healthcare system going backwards towards user pays. sure it needs a shake up but privatising things isn't going to help the most vulnerable.
2. Prison sentences are not harsh enough for violent crime, you get worse time for fraud than manslaughter. Multiple sentences should also not be able to be served at the same time.
3. Not enough funding for sports other than rugby.
4. Our broadband is shite compared to the rest of the world. Time to improve our infrastructure and get up with the times.
5. The price of meat and dairy products considering we are a farming nation."

Today's posts - click here

Japanese Students Attacked At Christchurch Bus Stop - Updated

There's a report in today's The Press, detailed on Stuff.co.nz telling the shocking story of how two Asian students were subjected to aggression and an unprovoked attack by a gang of skinheads in Christchurch (watch the video report here)

Two Asian students, said to be Japanese nationals, were sitting at the bus stop outside of The Palms shopping mall in Christchurch yesterday evening at 6.30pm when a group of 4 skinheads approached them. A witness saw the group of 4 males, all shirtless and wearing camouflage gear, walk up to the 2 students.

According to the witness the group, which had two pit bull dogs with them, started to hassle the students until one of them got up to leave whereupon he was punched in the face causing him to stumble on to the road. He was then punched again and the group calmly strolled away.

The witness to this moronic and cowardly attack on two defenseless kids tried to phone the emergency services but couldn't get through because of problems with the network, he then had to ask a bus driver to phone his office and ask them to call for help. Meanwhile the gang of thugs disappeared.

It would seem that Christchurch isn't a great place to be, for either visitors or locals. In August of last year a Fijian student was injured in a racist attack at Linwood College, his mother said that she had spoken the other parents in the Indian community and their children had been bullied too. Her son had also been taunted with names like "curry chicken", "black Indian" and "Indian boy." The family moved to NZ to escape the violence of Suva.

In September a man having part Indian and his friend were attacked a gang of jobs. This from Stuff

"Christchurch computer programmer Mike Nicholls, 24, said he was racially abused and punched in September last year by a group of men who had attacked a friend.

Nicholls, who is part Indian, said cans were thrown at his car and he was called "nigger" and told to "go home" after he intervened when a friend was attacked in a restaurant carpark on Moorhouse Ave. Police are investigating the incident."

Christchurch has recently earned itself the dubious title of 'Murder Capital Of New Zealand' which was re-inforced after the death of a 62 year old widow was brutally murdered in her own home a week ago.

This most recent assault has drawn a fair amount of contempt from the readers of Stuff who are very eager to talk about the issue of racism in Christchurch, allegedly a "haven for Neo-Nazis due to the lack of competition from other gangs" (see below) You may remember that a few days ago we spoke of how police in New Zealand still don't/won't collect data on racially motivated crimes, it is very hard to know the true extent of this problem both in Christchurch and throughout the country.

These are a few of the reader comments about on Stuff about racism in Christchurch:

Doug
"I am appalled by the lack of "retaliatory action" by the Asian community against the Neo-Nazis so far. But I guess the bulk of the Asian community knows that these can't be helped living in Christchurch, like they say, "You can't complain about the noise if you move in near the airport." This Japanese student finally understood the toll for enjoying the significantly cheaper living costs of Christchurch compared to Auckland. He should also understans why disproportionalely greater Japanese New Zealand residents reside in Auckland than Christchurch in contrast to other Asians."

Sacwehc
"I am most disappointed that the police and other authority repeatedly deny there is rascism in the city. As long as they refuse to admit there is a problem, there will be little effort to address and tackle the situation. re they waiting for a more serious attack? Unprovoked assaults that leaves someone bleeding and broken is not serious enough? What if THEY are at the receiving end? Will that and only that spur them into action? We have a racism problem, FACE IT! DEAL WITH IT! That is JUSTICE and the PEOPLE'S RIGHTS!"

NationalistRE
I am a frequent poster on japantoday.com, I have become aware from my New Zeland sources that this Asian student is Japanese and I am ashamed that a Yamato must become victimised by Neo-Nazis who are not the finest specimens on Western Europeans, let alone the Anglo-Celtic race! The police insist it was not a racially motivated attack despite eye witness reports to the contrary.
My source tells me that Christchurch is a haven for Neo-Nazis because of the lack of presence of competing mutliracial gangs like those active in the North Island. Then it would seem the South Islanders are cowards for not actively confronting these Neo-Nazis in both lawful and unlawful fronts.
Although it would be a tall order for New Zealand to implement solid anti-hate/Nazi laws like those in France and Germany, they can take comfort in the fact that Christchurch is not an important economic centre for non-whites who could flee to Auckland if they see any more of these Neo-Nazis out and about. Furthermore, it was fortunate this Far Easterner victim was not from a ethnic group that has significantly more economic clout in this city like the Chinese or the Koreans!"

Update 27 February 2010

"Police will not log Chch attack as race-based" The Press (link)
Police have no immediate plans to collect statistics on racially motivated crimes.

An attack on a 24-year-old Japanese man in Christchurch this week raised concerns about hate crimes in the city. Police maintained the incident was not motivated by race.

Race Relations Commissioner Joris de Bres renewed a call for police to record any racially motivated attack separately so action could be taken and minority groups would have greater confidence in the police.

A national police spokesman said police did not gather statistics specifically related to "hate crime"...

...According to Britain's Home Office, a hate crime is an offence motivated by hostility or prejudice based upon the victim's disability, race, religion or belief, or sexual orientation.

The Home Office says research has shown hate crimes cause greater psychological harm than crimes without a motivation of prejudice, create fear and encourage communities to turn on each other."

Why is there NO anti-hate crime legislation in New Zealand? is New Zealand alone in the developed world in not having it?

See also blog posts:
Everyday race hate rife in Christchurch 
Covert Racial Prejudice commonplace in NZ


For other posts about the problem of racism in New Zealand click: HERE

Today's posts - click here

Indian Taxi Driver Hiren Mohini From Mumbai, Murdered In Auckland - Updated

38 year old taxi driver Hiren Mohini has been stabbed to death whilst on duty in Auckland overnight. The incident took place in the early hours of Sunday morning in the Mount Eden area and a man was seen running from the scene. Some news outlets in NZ may have 'neglected' to mention Mr Mohini's nationality,  however the The Indian Weekender  was able to set the record straight:

"Mr Mohini had moved to New Zealand from Mumbai in about 2003, his close friend and schoolmate from Goregaon, Mumbai, Sachin Jadhav told Indian Weekender. He said he was driving his taxi for the past four years.

Another colleague, Shane, said Mr Mohini was one of the quietest blokes he knew and that he was always courteous and respectful. “If money is what the attacker wanted, he could have simply asked – and Hiren would have handed it to him with no hesitation,” he said.

Taxi driver Chittaranjan said this incident once again highlighted how risky driving taxis in Auckland could be. It strengthens the case for some sort of physical barrier between the front and back seats as a deterrent as is seen in many of the world’s big cities, he said.
Authorities had repeatedly stonewalled previous appeals for such measures and wanted to raise the issue once again the drivers said. Mr Mohini, who originally from Gujarat, leaves behind his wife, two daughters aged five and two and his mother.

Our deepest sympathies are extended to Mr. Mohini's family for their terrible loss. We hope the police catch the person responsible as quickly as possible.

At this stage it is uncertain as to whether the attack was racially motivated. In December of 2008 Afghanistan national Abdulrahman Ikhtiari, 39 was found lying near his taxi with a fatal stab wound to his chest. That was the same week as Auckland cabbie Alexander Ershov, 23, was stabbed six times, fortunately he survived his injuries. A news report at the time reported:

"We can't believe somebody killed him," said Mohammad Ikhtiari, who is also a taxi driver. He is angry police appeared to have ignored previous complaints about the behaviour to which Afghani taxi drivers in Christchurch were subjected.
"Heaps have happened to taxi drivers ... and when we call to the police and say this customer didn't pay, they say `we don't care. It is not criminal case'. If somebody insult us with `why you come here, what are you doing in this country?' and when we tell to police they say `we don't care'. They should have done more about this issue. We are very angry." 

Taxi drivers want the Transport Agency to change taxi regulations to require all cabs to be fitted with a cage or screen to protect the driver. They asked for the same after Abdulrahman Ikhtiari's death in Christchurch but it was considered to be a 'bad image for the city'. For pity's sakes, how can image ever be considered more important than someone's life?

Many highly skilled migrants drive taxis in New Zealand. They are unable to find other work because their overseas qualifications are 'not recognised'. Some of them have said they are subjected to racial abuse whilst on the job: See post "Skilled Migrants Must Drive Taxis To Survive"


Update 1 February 2009
Police announced that they have found the knife they believed was used to kill Mr Mohini. TVNZ also said that the deceased man was a trained accountant and moved from Mumbai with his wife 7 years ago. Another report has said other people may have been involved in the vicious attack and that some taxi drivers refuse to work at night because the risks are too great.

There is still no news about the fate of Srikanth Rayadurgam (below) 23 year old student from Hyderabad who disappeared after withdrawing $250 from his bank account in Auckland in October. His personal belongings and empty wallet were found at a quiet location on Auckland's harbourside.

See also see "NZ portrays safe image to attract Indians" from the Times of India. 

Other Indian nationals murdered in New Zealand
Navind Govind - Clubbed to death by a gang of youths
Shiu Prasad - Stabbed to death by William Holtz who specialized in robberies of Indian owned shops and who was out on parole for the attack of another Indian shopkeeper.
Bhagubhai Vaghela - shot in the chest at close range in an Auckland superette.
Navtej Singh- Shot in the chest with a rifle during a liquor-store raid.
Krishna Naidu - Repeatedly stabbed in the abdomen in his family's superette in Clendon.

Today's posts - click here

Migrant Stories - Skilled Migrants Must Drive Taxis To Survive

We've heard it many times - migrants have qualifications approved to gain permanent residency and then find NZ employers won't employ them because they won't recognise those same qualifications. It's madness, or perhaps xenophobic protectionism. Here's an article by David Kemeys in The (North) Shore Times to demonstrate the problem.

Mehmet Mohammed has problems. He's an immigrant from Turkey - and a Muslim.
"Camel jockey, sand nigger, bomb chucker - I've heard them all.

"People are quite distrusting of me because they think I'm an Arab and I'm going to blow them up or something. Or they think I must own a restaurant or a kebab shop."

Mehmet is an engineer - code for taxi driver where immigrants are concerned.

And it is on Auckland's taxi ranks where the horrible waste of talent is brought into sharp focus. Checking at Auckland's airport seven drivers - all Indians - were a radiographer, two engineers, an electrical engineer, an accountant, a teacher and a blood analyst chemist.

None can get work in their chosen fields for a variety of reasons, but mostly because their qualifications from Indian institutions are not recognised. Generally speaking they accept it with a shrug, arguing they came to New Zealand to secure a better life for their children.

But two of those seven are planning to abandon their dreams of a new life and return to India, where they say the economy is booming.
"The drunks are the worst. Some of them treat you like dirt, but I am not sure that's because we are Indian, or just because they are drunk," one of the drivers says.
"I've been called an elephant jockey," says another.
"I'm from Mumbai and I'd never seen an elephant until I visited the zoo here with my kids. It's incredible how ignorant some of the people are.
"They think we all wander about like Gandhi or beg in the streets, but Mumbai is a very highly developed city."

See also: Asians braced for a bashing- many Asians cannot understand why they are met with such hostility because they are meant to be sought-after migrants. Racism on the street is even directed at fourth generation New Zealand-born Asians who speak perfect English.
Today's posts - click here

Covert Racial Prejudice Commonplace In NZ

By Neil Reid - Sunday News

"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.
"That email, I wouldn't want to say [if it was racist]," Hingston, a retired Maori Land Court judge, told Sunday News.

"I can concede it is offensive to some people – nobody would deny that. But racism ... in New Zealand, is covert. Very few of the ardent anti-Maori, anti-Islander, anti-Asian front up.

It is there. But at least Hone opens his mouth and says that. And I think (the secrecy) is the worst part about racism that is rife in New Zealand. There are so many good Pakehas being tarred with the brush of those other racists that is all hidden."

Harawira's membership in the Maori Party remains up in the air after he sent former Waitangi Tribunal member Buddy Mikaere an email in which he branded Pakeha as "white motherf***s" who "have been raping our lands and ripping us off for centuries".

 For background see Hone goes walkabout, again


Today's posts - click here

Christchurch's "Terrorism" Hits World News

From an article in  The Press by Ian Steward

"Christchurch's boy racers have again hit the headlines overseas, with a German magazine saying residents are afraid of car-based "terrorism".

Christchurch Mayor Bob Parker said the article was an accurate reflection of Christchurch: "It's a problem we have. It is something that happens here and it's an interesting social phenomenon, which I presume is the angle they're coming from."

Geo, a German magazine similar to National Geographic, devoted its October-November issue to New Zealand, with 14 positive articles on subjects ranging from kakapo and conservation to rugby, fish and chips, baches and adventure tourism.

The article on Christchurch was called "Frenzy of the youth". It featured pictures of boy racers in belligerent poses, drinking, wheel-spinning and hanging out on streets such as Moorhouse Ave...

View Larger Map of Moorhouse Ave.

...A German television programme devoted an episode to Christchurch's car culture in January. The German article details a night with Matt and Megan, who go to parties at crossroads and indulge in illegal street racing to relieve boredom.

The article said Matt put his telephone number on his rear window so others could contact him.
"Perhaps for a little race out at McLeans Island. Or for a meeting at the supermarket car park on Main South Road for a bit of drifting? On an oil patch, to hear the new album from Eminem, or see whatever else is up."

The article focuses on statistics showing that Christchurch people, particularly women and the elderly, are afraid in their city after dark...."

For more of his report see link 

Right Wing Vigilante Group

The garden city has been getting some really bad press recently, it wasn't so long ago that it was being forced to defend itself against the dubious honour of being dubbed the nation's crime capital.

Just yesterday Mr Steward wrote an article which began with  "A 'white pride' group, Right Wing Resistance (RWR), claims to be patrolling New Brighton streets that "the police and the system has all but given up on". The piece went on to explain how the group, who some would label "skinheads" have taken it upon themselves to do something because the locals "were getting very upset with youths, particularly Polynesian youths, standing over people and vandalising."

For other blog posts about social issues in Christchurch see:
Everyday 'race hate' rife in Christchurch
67 boy racers taken off the streets of Christchurch
Another schoolkid injured in racist attack
Christchurch's drunken mayhem
Christchurch's weekend battleground
British tourist wishes he'd been warned about the violence

Korean Student, Tae Won Chung, Sentenced To Prison For Classroom Stabbing

Korean student, Tae Won Chung, has pleaded guilty to the classroom stabbing of teacher David Warren at Avondale College and was today sentenced to 18 months in prison. A report in the Herald says:

"Chung's lawyer, David Jones QC, told the Auckland District Court that the catalyst for the violent attack was culturally insensitive comments by the victim Mr Warren, the day before the school attack.
The day before the attack the teacher made comments to Chung about possible conscription to the Korean Army and about a possibility of North Korea attacking South Korea.
The court was told this left Chun "festering" with anger and he took a knife with him to school the next day.
The Crown said the stabbing was premeditated and that Mr Warren's comments couldn't be seen as provocation."

 Read what the Korean community is saying about the incident:
Korean Foreign Student Stabs New Zealand teacher, Charges of Racism in NZ Schools by Korean Students

A debate has recently raged over the partial defence of provocation after it was used in the trial of the murder of Sophie Elliot. The government is said to be reviewing it, along with other laws relating to sex crimes and child protection.

See also blogpost 4 March: 'Racial sensitivity may have caused classroom stabbing'

"Everyday 'Race Hate' Rife in Christchurch"

By JO McKENZIE-McLEAN - The Press, 3 September 2009

"An attack on a Thai girl, who was beaten up by fellow pupils on a bus, is part of everyday "race hate" in Christchurch, a homestay parent says.
Paul Stratford said the Avonside Girls' High School pupil arrived at his house distressed and covered in blood after being beaten up on the bus after school on Monday.

The assault comes after a South Korean pupil had a knife held to his throat and was kicked to the ground in an unprovoked attack at a Christchurch bus stop last week.

In the latest assault, the year 13 pupil was beaten by two younger girls in Avonside uniforms as she left the bus. She had never spoken to the pair, Stratford said.

"They were punching her in the head as she was getting off the bus," he said.

"They were telling her to 'f... off back to her own country'. She is horribly upset."

Stratford said the bus driver reported the incident to the school, which notified the police.
Avonside principal Theresa Shaughnessy last night confirmed there was an incident involving three pupils, but there were "no racial overtones".
She said the incident was being dealt with "very seriously" and declined to comment further.

The victim was a girlfriend of one of Stratford's two homestay pupils, both of whom had been beaten up.

One had had a tooth knocked out when he was punched in the face in June at The Palms Shopping Centre, Stratford said.
The attacks had left the pupils feeling vulnerable and too scared to leave the house by themselves, he said.

"I know a lot of Asian girls who don't like catching the bus because they often get bullied."

Stratford, a New Zealander married to a Thai woman, with whom he has two young children, said his wife was regularly the victim of racial abuse.

"It's not just students. My wife has been spat at while she's out walking the pram," he said.

"I don't think many people are aware that these race-hate incidents and violent attacks are everyday occurrences," he said.

Race Relations Commissioner Joris de Bres said race-hate crimes were a problem not just in Christchurch but around the country and were occurring more often than was reported to police.
"It's becoming more and more urgent for police to gather data of racial abuse," he said. "The Government does agree but has said it's not a priority."
People needed to report their experience and schools needed a culture of tolerance and respect, he said."
See other posts about NZ's racism problem here: Racism
For today's posts click here

Kelston Boys and Auckland Grammar Schools Students and Spectators In Punch Up

A truly disgusting display of violence from two of New Zealand's top high schools when over 100 people including students and spectators (some of them drunk) clashed in a mass punch up.

The cause was said to be racial insults and other taunts. It's time to send a message that violence will not be tolerated in NZ, neither will racism, and that a sense of fair play and sportsmanship still exists even at a junior level. Some of these kids may well be tomorrow's All Blacks.



Some public reactions to the brawl. These are of the very many answers to the question posed by the NZ Herald:

Schoolboy rugby brawl: is this reflective of our society?

Ashley (Auckland central)


Of course it is, but we've always been a violent society. It's pathetic really, at primary school the kids that are respected/feared are the bullies, and it's tolerated, even celebrated. Boys need to be tough and all that drivel. Once we change this mindset, from the primary level up, and make violence deplorable, then and only then will things change. Thuggery and machismo, what an unsophisticated and uncultured combination, and we have it in NZ in spades.

Nathan (St Lukes)

The school match spectator behaviour is becoming worse every year. What are we teaching our young people?
There used to be a word called sportmanship. If we cannot control the spectator behaviour adult spectators must be banned from the matches. Only the school students from participating should be allowed. The students behaviour should be monitored by school prefects and teachers. If parents cannot behave then I see no other alternative.

Doctor Don (Auckland)

I note in the video/pictures there was a young lady who was caught up in the brawl. While it appeared she was trying to separate players, one of the Kelston players struck out at her. This is disgusting and this player needs criminal charges to be placed against him.

What we saw is the reason why Auckland rugby are no longer the dominant force in NZ rugby. You have some lads of Pacific origins who are first twice the size of their European counterparts, and they are violent and resort to using their fists when things go wrong and they start losing.

The children from the Pacific have a natural talent, the kids with European backgrounds can analyse and run the game.but more and more leave the sport before they hit their physical maturity due to losing the desire, through being knocked out of the game.

Another Schoolkid, Mohammad Akif, Injured In Racist Attack. This Time At Linwood College, Christchurch

Mohammad Akif is 15 years old, he was beaten up by a group of unsupervised thugs in a corridor at Linwood College on Tuesday, the assault was said to have been captured by security cameras. He suffered a fractured cheekbone and various cuts and bruises in the attack. See Cameras capture racist attack

He'd only attending the Christchurch school for for two weeks and perhaps hadn't yet honed the skilled avoidance tactics that many immigrant children adopt. Racist taunts such as "curry chicken", "black Indian", "Indian boy" were also hurled at him but this probably wasn't the first time he'd heard those words spoken by those children.

His mother told The Press that this wasn't the first time her son had been the victim of racist abuse at the school and that other children in the Indian community had been bullied too.

The ironic thing is that Mohammad Akif and his family had moved to New Zealand to escape the violence of Suva where their home had been broken into several times by people with weapons. What on earth lead them to think that New Zealand was any safer? Only last month Ryotaro Wright was dumped on his head by 4 racist bullies at Forest View High School and needed surgery to remove a blood clot from his brain. He'd been called a "whale muncher".

Attacks on Indian people have happened many time in New Zealand, the situation got so bad for Indian students in Invercargill last year that mayor, Tim Shadbolt and chief executive of the Southland Institute of Technology Penny Simmonds arranged a meeting with local skinheads in an attempt to smooth things over. See Indian students subjected to racial abuse in New Zealand

Indian nationals in Auckland have also suffered from racist attacks: Nitesh Khanna was attacked on his way to work and Sunil Sharma (named changed) told DNAIndia that he often suffered racial abuse but felt powerless to do anything about it. See Now Indians face racism in Kiwiland. and "members of Indian community face far too much abuse"

A few days ago a study by Debbie Kohner was published and it showed that a staggering 90% of non-European people surveyed in the Nelson and Tasman area had suffered racial abuse of one form or another. See Survey on racial abuse in Nelson and Tasmin.

School bullying second worst in world
For some time now it's been acknowledged that New Zealand is the second worst country in the world for school bullying and that is reflective of a "punitive culture" within the country. See NZ scores second worst in world for bullying in schools. Combine that culture with overt, pig headed and insensitive racism in kids and it's a recipe for disaster, as Ryotaro and Mohammed have found out to their cost.

Our sympathies go out to Mohammad Akif, we hope he makes a full recovery from his ordeal.

Debbie Kohner Survey On Racial Abuse In Nelson & Tasman

A survey by Debbie Kohner has revealed that more than 90% of all non-Europeans in Nelson and Tasman area have suffered racial abuse of one form or another, from abuse directed at children as young as five to frequent comments from passing cars. It's a shocking statistic. I don't believe that this problem is confined to one region, racism is endemic in NZ and seems to stem from xenophobia in many places. I'd also like to see the figures for how many people of European origin have experienced racial abuse (often from other 'Europeans') because we do hear news reports about accent rage as in the cases of Irish man Robbie O'brien, and the 6 English and Dutch tourists beaten and stabbed in Cashel Mall and anti American vitriol.

Debbie Kohner is a solicitor from Northern Ireland and no stranger to the issues of conflict and racism which she studied whilst in Belfast, there the consequences of irrational and stupid prejudices are all too well known about. She's also the granddaughter of Jewish refugees who fled the Sudetenland during the second world war and so seems superbly equipped as an outsider to define and examine racism in New Zealand with an expert eye.

Her survey included such simple questions as "Have you ever been treated badly because of how you look, the way you speak or where you come from?" Read more here: Racial abuse high in Nelson

See also
Indian students subjected to racial abuse in New Zealand
Racial discrimination in the work place

Indian Man's Racist Attack in Queenstown

From Scene.co.nz

Racist attack

"Three Caucasian males in their 20s hurled racial insults and set upon an Indian man in Camp St opposite ASB Bank at 4.30am last Sunday.

One offender is believed to have used a knuckleduster or knuckle rings. The victim suffered a cut, bleeding nose and chipped teeth.

Police are looking for a large, black 4WD that was dirty or rough, Drader says. The driver may be part-Maori."

Ryotaro Wright Attacked At Forest View High School

A number of news outlets are this morning carrying a story about another kid getting a beating - Ryotaro Wright a student of Forest View High School, Tokoroa who was actually attacked whilst at school.

View Larger Map

Google Street View: Forest View High School

"Whale muncher"
The allegations are that Ryotaro was dropped on his head by four bullies and his father told the NZ Herald yesterday:

"his son had been racially abused by four students over the past few weeks, including being called "whale muncher".
"I think they just think Asians are physically smaller than average Kiwis so it makes them easy targets. He's the type of boy who doesn't react normally, he sort of brushes things off."
On Tuesday morning, however, Wright believed his son was defending a friend.
"This big guy turned around and picked up Ryotaro and dropped him. I was told that these boys have been trying to bait Ryotaro for a while."

Forest View High School, whose motto is "Courage Knows No Defeat", recently honoured Ryotaro in its Premium Student Achievement Awards. He achieved the Year 9 JCEA with excellence having achieved at least 40 credits of the minimum 70 credits at the Excellence Level.
The attack left him with a potentially fatal blood clot which required surgery to remove, he may also suffer long term effects from a brain injury.
All Blacks members Richard Kahui and Ian Foster are both ex students of the school.

NZ second worst in world for school bullying

New Zealand recently scored second worst in the world for school bullying, ranking 34 out of 35 countries in a major international study.
Auckland paediatrician Ian Hassall said the high rates of bullying reflected a "punitive culture". Mr Hassall used to be the Children's Commissioner

"It's not just children who are bullied; adults bully as well," Hassall said. "We do have a punitive society that rather believes in punishing people and threatening them, so it's not surprising that children pick up on this and go punishing one another."

Other recent incidents

The attack comes just days after two sisters aged 13 and 14 were arrested after a mob attack at Fairfield College, Hamilton which took place last Wednesday.

There was a spate of seemingly random attacks on teenagers in June, see: Brutal attacks on teens. One of the attacks was on a 15 year old Thai student from Marlborough Boys' College who was punched repeatedly in the face.

In February two particularly disturbing incidents occured:

• A 10 year old boy threatened to commit suicide by jumping from the roof of the Ascot Community School, Invercargill after he was bullied.

• An alleged gang fight involving members of the "Wax Assassins" broke out at Hutt Valley High School.

In August 2008 2 year 9 pupils from a Lower Hutt College were suspended after luring a 15 year old boy to a train station where he was beaten and left for dead.

See also:
news reports on the death of Takapuna Grammar School pupil Toran Henry


For today's posts see: latest posts

International Students as Customers

Earlier today I blogged about Linda Tang's problem with UNITEC not apologising for the way she'd been treated and thought it would be good to look into the problems and expectations that international students have whilst studying in New Zealand, specifically at UNITEC.

I've dug up a document released in 2004 by the Higher Education Research and Development Society of Australasia (HERDSA) who promote the "development of higher education policy, practice and the study of teaching and learning"

HERDSA's report was called "Students’ as customers: The expectations and perceptions of local and international students" authors Carol Sherry, Ravi Bhat, Bob Beaver and Anthony Ling - all of UNITEC.

"Abstract: This study assesses business students’ perceptions of services experienced at New
Zealand Tertiary Institute. The questionnaire used in this survey was based on the SERVQUAL scale that contains 20 service attributes, grouped together into five dimensions, Tangibles, Reliability, Responsiveness, Assurance and Empathy. The study found a significant difference between students’ expectations of what an “Excellent tertiary institution” should offer in the way of services and the students’ perceptions of the services currently experienced.

A significant difference was also found between the perceptions of local students and international students in all five dimensions with the international students’ perceptions of services being lower than the local students. The Degree students had higher expectations of an excellent tertiary institute than the Diploma students, while the Diploma students rated their service experiences of Unitec as slightly better than the Degree students"

The report talked about how the numbers of international students have increased dramatically in New Zealand - a three fold increase in the last eight years. With such a dramatic increase the challenge is to measure the legitimate needs and expectations of this group of students so that steps may be taken to meet, or exceed, them whilst still satisfying the needs of local students.

UNITEC didn't meet student expectations
"The survey found a significant difference between students’ expectations of the service that an excellent tertiary institute should provide and the perception of services being provided at UNITEC. These results are not surprising as most institutions strive to do their best but very few reach perfection.....the majority of students have had positive experiences with the services provided at UNITEC. This study has however highlighted the difference in perceptions of services offered at UNITEC by the international students and the local students. When student responses were separated it could be seen that the expectation gap was larger for the international students on all five dimensions [tangibles, reliability, responsiveness, assurance and empathy] This indicates that the international students have greater concerns with the services offered to them at UNITEC than the local students. The fact that International students pay far higher fees than the local students may mean that they expect more....."


International students not getting value for money or adequate support
"....this study also confirms concerns of the international students with issues of assurance. The students in this study are not confident that they are getting value for money, or that the skills they are being taught will get them good results both academically and for future employment. They are also unsure of lecturers’ knowledge in their subject area and do not feel that an adequate range of support services are being offered to them. These are all issues that should concern the management at UNITEC.

The international student numbers at UNITEC have more than doubled in the past two years placing a lot of stress on both academic and administrative staff alike, making it difficult to manage the individual needs of students. However if the institution wants to maintain the existing rate of growth, further research into these service areas is recommended to put in support structures for both staff and students alike."

I'm interested to learn if UNITEC took the study on board - does it view its international students as customers. If so how can someone as capable as Linda Tang progress to the final year of her degree and seemingly fail due to what looks like a lack of support?

If her accent is a problem (I've heard her on TV and I don't think it is) why wasn't she given the support she needed to improve it earlier on in her studies, how is it possible for her to have progressed so far with such an awful 'impediment' after passing English language assessments?

I think that some tertiary institutions need to remember that international students are very valuable customers who pay a premium rate to study in New Zealand, they are entitled to expect value for money and higher levels of support.

The report may be found here http://www.herdsa.org.au/wp-content/uploads/conference/2004/PDF/P017-jt.pdf