An Indian-New Zealander has alleged that anti-Indian racism is increasing in New Zealand after years of alleged harassment directed at him and his family, as reported by the New Zealand Herald on May 18.
Raj Singh, a real estate agent based in Auckland, claimed his family had faced abusive behaviour since 2018, including eggs allegedly being thrown at their cars, rubbish dumped outside their property, and repeated intimidation at their home.
Singh said the incidents caused significant distress to his family, especially his children.
“Without any motive, [the person] tried to bully us,” he said.
According to Singh, the person involved had previously been trespassed from the property but allegedly continued returning and, on some occasions, urinated on the fences, as reported by the New Zealand Herald.
Police confirmed the individual had been convicted of disorderly behaviour in 2020.
Singh said that after several quiet years, the abuse intensified again in March with alleged racist comments targeting Indians.
The remarks reportedly included: “f*** India”, “f*** Indians”, “I hate Indians” and “I hate you all”, the New Zealand Herald has quoted.
Earlier this month, Singh reported another alleged incident of verbal abuse to police.
Manukau Central Area Commander Inspector Adam Pyne said officers attended the scene but were unable to locate the person involved.
“Police inquiries are still ongoing, and we intend on speaking with the [person] further,” Pyne said, as quoted by the New Zealand Herald.
“No one in the community should have to experience this verbal abuse.”
Police also confirmed they would take action if the individual breached an existing trespass order.
Singh, who has lived in New Zealand for nearly four decades and serves as a Justice of the Peace, said he had also approached the Human Rights Commission regarding the incidents.
“My family and I have lived in New Zealand for almost four decades - this is our home,” he said, the New Zealand Herald has quoted.
The allegations emerged amid growing discussion around anti-Indian sentiment in New Zealand.
According to the New Zealand Herald, earlier this year, reports citing police hate crime data found that people of South Asian descent were among the groups most frequently targeted by racial abuse.
Auckland University of Technology social sciences professor Camille Nakhid said racial tensions often intensified during election periods and noted that racism in New Zealand had historically shifted between communities over time.
“You want to get rid of racism, you have to get rid of our colonised mentality,” she said, as quoted by the New Zealand Herald.