Auckland: Serious questions need to be asked about the shrinking response by the Prime Minister to Paul Henry’s insulting remarks about Governor-General Sir Anand Satyanand, Labour’s Associate Ethnic Affairs spokesperson Rajen Prasad says.
“I have received calls and emails from people in the Asian community, including senior Indian community leaders, who are shocked and deeply hurt by Paul Henry’s blatantly racist comments,” Rajen Prasad, a former Race Relations Conciliator, said.
“People can’t believe that such a slur can go by unchecked in this day and age.
“They are proud Kiwis, accepted as an integral part of our communities by the vast majority of New Zealanders.
“That is what makes John Key’s failure to pull Paul Henry up so disappointing. Mr Key sat there flummoxed and giggling, unable or unwilling to respond.
“Surely any Prime Minister of New Zealand should have the gumption and core principles to feel spurred to react instantly to what amounted to an attack on a whole community?
“And for Mr Key to repeatedly refuse to tell journalists whether he thought Paul Henry’s comments were racist is extremely disappointing.
Rajen Prasad said he applauded TVNZ for finally taking action today and suspending Paul Henry.
“Mr Key should now do what he failed to do at the time and make it clear that such damaging and insulting behaviour is not acceptable in New Zealand,” Rajen Prasad said.