Anti-Asian leaflets condemned
Auckland: The Office of Ethnic Affairs has condemned the distribution of anti-Asian leaflets in Auckland and Christchurch.
The Human Rights Commission says it has received a number of complaints about brochures that have been distributed by a small group called Right Wing Resistance, which state 'Stop the Asian invasion, join the resistance.'
The Director of the Office of Ethnic Affairs, Mervin Singham said, “The distribution of such leaflets is scurrilous and a clear attempt to cause fear among Asian people living peacefully in New Zealand.
New Zealanders should not fear ethnic diversity and instead recognise all the benefits and opportunities diversity offers this country. Immigrants bring vital skills, innovation and overseas network connections when they come to live in New Zealand and are a vital key to this country’s continuing success.
The number of ethnically diverse people in New Zealand is increasing and groups like this one should stop putting their own political interests first and consider the needs of their neighbours and the whole of New Zealand society and economy.”
Mr Singham believes no one should shy away from debating the value of immigration and groups from all spectrums of the political landscape should be willing to seize opportunities to have an open and public discussion about New Zealand's growing ethnic diversity.
Research by the Department of Labour about public opinion on immigration has found that 89 per cent of New Zealanders agree it is good for society to be made up of people from different ethnicities, religions and cultures.
MPs condemn campaign
"Kyle Chapman of the Right Wing Resistance Group and former National Front Member is up to his old tricks again, trying to drive a wedge between Asian communities and other New Zealanders," Labour’s Ethnic Affairs spokesperson, Dr Rajen Prasad and Chinese Community Affairs spokesperson, Raymond Huo said in a statement.
“I dealt with a number of similar attempts by the National Front when I was Race Relations Conciliator and here he is again effectively painting the Asian and migrant communities as unwanted in New Zealand,” Rajen Prasad said.
“Asian and migrant communities make a solid and positive economic, social and cultural contribution to New Zealand.
“Many members of the Asian community as well as other migrants will be seriously concerned about Chapman’s statements that can only be taken as racist. When he judges a group of people by their race or ethnic background negatively he is effectively being racist.
“While the right to free speech saves the Right Wing Resistance Group from prosecution, their brand of nationalism must be criticised by every fair thinking New Zealander. Asian New Zealanders as well as other migrant groups have nothing to apologise for. They are highly valued New Zealanders and their contributions benefit society as a whole.
“New Zealand effectively has a passport to new trade, cultural and social relations with the countries of origin of our Asian and other migrants. New Zealand’s Free Trade Agreement with China would not have been possible without a sizable Asian presence in New Zealand. The same will be true when the FTA with India is signed in due course.” Rajen Prasad said.
Raymond Huo said: “New Zealand is the envy of many countries for our inclusive race relations record; I am distressed that the actions of a few people may mar that record.
“I have seen this type of attack on Asian migrants before and am concerned that some of them have received Chapman’s pamphlet,” Raymond Huo said. “My advice to them is to disregard it and to be satisfied that they are valued New Zealanders.
Auckland: The Office of Ethnic Affairs has condemned the distribution of anti-Asian leaflets in Auckland and Christchurch. The Human Rights Commission says it has received a number of complaints about brochures that have been distributed by a small group called Right Wing Resistance, which state...
Auckland: The Office of Ethnic Affairs has condemned the distribution of anti-Asian leaflets in Auckland and Christchurch.
The Human Rights Commission says it has received a number of complaints about brochures that have been distributed by a small group called Right Wing Resistance, which state 'Stop the Asian invasion, join the resistance.'
The Director of the Office of Ethnic Affairs, Mervin Singham said, “The distribution of such leaflets is scurrilous and a clear attempt to cause fear among Asian people living peacefully in New Zealand.
New Zealanders should not fear ethnic diversity and instead recognise all the benefits and opportunities diversity offers this country. Immigrants bring vital skills, innovation and overseas network connections when they come to live in New Zealand and are a vital key to this country’s continuing success.
The number of ethnically diverse people in New Zealand is increasing and groups like this one should stop putting their own political interests first and consider the needs of their neighbours and the whole of New Zealand society and economy.”
Mr Singham believes no one should shy away from debating the value of immigration and groups from all spectrums of the political landscape should be willing to seize opportunities to have an open and public discussion about New Zealand's growing ethnic diversity.
Research by the Department of Labour about public opinion on immigration has found that 89 per cent of New Zealanders agree it is good for society to be made up of people from different ethnicities, religions and cultures.
MPs condemn campaign
"Kyle Chapman of the Right Wing Resistance Group and former National Front Member is up to his old tricks again, trying to drive a wedge between Asian communities and other New Zealanders," Labour’s Ethnic Affairs spokesperson, Dr Rajen Prasad and Chinese Community Affairs spokesperson, Raymond Huo said in a statement.
“I dealt with a number of similar attempts by the National Front when I was Race Relations Conciliator and here he is again effectively painting the Asian and migrant communities as unwanted in New Zealand,” Rajen Prasad said.
“Asian and migrant communities make a solid and positive economic, social and cultural contribution to New Zealand.
“Many members of the Asian community as well as other migrants will be seriously concerned about Chapman’s statements that can only be taken as racist. When he judges a group of people by their race or ethnic background negatively he is effectively being racist.
“While the right to free speech saves the Right Wing Resistance Group from prosecution, their brand of nationalism must be criticised by every fair thinking New Zealander. Asian New Zealanders as well as other migrant groups have nothing to apologise for. They are highly valued New Zealanders and their contributions benefit society as a whole.
“New Zealand effectively has a passport to new trade, cultural and social relations with the countries of origin of our Asian and other migrants. New Zealand’s Free Trade Agreement with China would not have been possible without a sizable Asian presence in New Zealand. The same will be true when the FTA with India is signed in due course.” Rajen Prasad said.
Raymond Huo said: “New Zealand is the envy of many countries for our inclusive race relations record; I am distressed that the actions of a few people may mar that record.
“I have seen this type of attack on Asian migrants before and am concerned that some of them have received Chapman’s pamphlet,” Raymond Huo said. “My advice to them is to disregard it and to be satisfied that they are valued New Zealanders.
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