'Kill All Indian': Papatoetoe school graffiti being probed as hate motivated crime, say police

Police are investigating a report of wilful damage outside Papatoetoe Central School, treating it as a “hate-motivated crime” after “Kill All Indian” was spray-painted in red outside the school on 11 April. The incident has raised concerns about safety within the Indian community, particularly among students in the south Auckland suburb. Papatoetoe Central School caters to primary school students aged five to eleven.

“Our enquiries are still in the early stages, but we are treating this as a hate-motivated crime. Police recognise this incident will be concerning for our Indian communities and we will be focused on establishing who is responsible,” Inspector Dave Christoffersen, Counties Manukau West Area Commander said.

Papatoetoe Central School, which was closed for the Easter holidays at the time, has also acknowledged the incident in a statement.

“We are deeply saddened and offended by the content written,” Raj Dullabh, Principal of the school said in a statement on social media.

As police investigations continue, the school said, “the tagging has been covered, and we will look to erase the content once the storm passes. We thank you for your cooperation,” the statement further said.

Concerns around student safety have been raised by parents, according to a Sports Coordinator at Papatoetoe High School, Chris Latham, who also previously ran for C&R Communities and Residents, securing fifth rank in the Papatoetoe Local Board elections.

“The parents are quite concerned,” Latham told The Indian Weekender.

He said nearly half the school population is of Indian or South East Asian descent.

“The school's student population is very diverse including 62% Indian, 18% Pasifika, 8% Maori, 10% Asian, 1.5% NZ European, and 0.5% other groups,” the school’s website mentions.

While describing the incident as “scary and targeted,” he said it does not “reflect the whole Papatoetoe community” and suggested it may have been the work of “disgruntled” individuals.

Referring to a previous incident where a nagar kirtan was interrupted by True Patriots of NZ, a member group of Brian Tamaki-led Destiny Church, Latham said the latest incident adds to growing "racial tensions” in the area.

“I imagine a lot of that is spilling over from what people are saying online and to put that as graffiti in the community is quite concerning,” Latham told The Indian Weekender.

In a Facebook post today, Destiny Church leader Brian Tamaki shared the post titled "The writing's on the wall".

Let me be absolutely clear: I do NOT support this. I do NOT condone hate. I do NOT condone violence.

Panmure-Ōtāhuhu MP Jenny Salesa in a statement told The Indian Weekender,

“The distress caused by this message is real especially for our Indian families, parents and students who have over many decades contributed so much to the life of our beloved Papatoetoe, and indeed our country overall. Threats of violence and race-based vandalism has no place here, and I welcome the swift action taken by local residents and Police to remove the graffiti.”

Police said the matter remains under investigation and urged anyone with information to come forward.

“We would like to hear from anyone who might have information about when the offending occurred, and who might be responsible,” police said.

Anyone who can assist enquiries can provide information online at 105.police.govt.nz or call 105, quoting reference number 260411/8410.

Information can also be provided anonymously via Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.